Corruption in Macbeth

Corruption in Macbeth

Power has the ability to destroy one's nature. Thus, making one capable to do many things he would not normally do, unless power has been an influence. Once Macbeth realizes that he has power, he becomes a person of corruption. This power he attains allows him to commit many sins in order to become King of Scotland. In Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, Macbeth corrupts through power, guilt, and ambition.

Macbeth, with his desire to achieve a particular goal, plans to be the most powerful person in Scotland. Macbeth fights on Scotland's side and kills Macdonwald. King Duncan tells to "go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth" (Shakespeare I.ii.63-65). King Duncan hears of Macbeth's powerful and noble qualities and crowns him the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth kills King Duncan, which leaves an empty spot for a new King. He has "done the deed" and there is a very loud "noise" (Shakespeare II.ii.19). He is reassuring himself that he will become very powerful. Soon Macbeth learns of heirs to the throne of which may interfere with his power, and he immediately orders for the death of both Banquo and Fleance. He tells the hired murderers to "leave no rubs nor botches in the work . . . Fleance, his son . . . is far less material" (Shakespeare III.ii.153-155). With this, he is allowing these undermining and evil ways of his to get the betterment of him, corrupting his being. Macbeth is so consumed by the thoughts of becoming powerful that he corrupts himself to an even further extent.

Before and after the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is consumed with the thoughts of guilt. When he tells his wife of the future, she begins to manipulate him into wanting to kill King Duncan. Yet, Macbeth resists the horrible thoughts and tries to push them out of his mind because "Duncan has always honored him" (Shakespeare I.vii.35). King Duncan is a very good friend to Macbeth and he feels guilt about his death. Macbeth is growing more and more delirious and wants to get out of the murders. When attending the gathering he tells guests that "[his] dull brain [is] wrought with forgotten things" (Shakespeare I.iii.166-167). He is slowly allowing himself to be eaten alive by such guilt that he even admits to his party attendants. Macbeth goes through with the slaying of Duncan. His wife tells him to look innocent and to "carry [the daggers] and smear the sleepy grooms with blood" (Shakespeare II.ii.63-64). His innocence is no longer available, that it is nearly a pawn in his game to be crowned King of Scotland. While he seems very strong on the outside, very quietly on the inside Macbeth's existence is being thrown about, all from the corruption of the want of power which leads to the feeling of guilt.

Macbeth's ambition allows him to become more involved in the thought of becoming powerful. He first begins to think of his being King, after the three witches begin to tell him of his fate.

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