Throughout the play, Macbeth does
anything to obtain power. He didn’t care how he achieved; he did anything to
become king. However, Macbeth struggled trying to get what he wanted and to do
what is right. This play holds many themes, but the main theme is “power is the
root of all evil”.
Power can make a person become
selfish. In the beginning of the play, it starts off as Macbeth and Banquo come
across three witches. These three witches tell Macbeth his prophecy on becoming
thane of Cawdor. This stirs the idea that becoming king would be great for him.
He then tells his wife, who then all of sudden becomes power-hungry. Lady
Macbeth becomes greedy and pressures Macbeth, someone loyal and honest, to kill
King Duncan so that they become the thrown. “Can you want the glittering
prize-the crown- yet be a self-confessed coward: ”I’d like to, but I aren’t,”
like the poor cat in the proverb that wanted fish but wouldn’t get its feet
wet?” (1.7.39-42) Lady Macbeth is so power-hungry that she’s peer-pressuring
her husband into killing King Duncan. She wants to be queen so bad, that it
doesn’t matter how she gets there. This shows that trying to obtain power can
make someone become greedy and selfish.
Power can make someone do crazy
things. King Duncan’s two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, left the country after
Macbeth killed Duncan. Thus, leaving Macbeth as the heir to the throne. As
Macbeth takes the throne, he becomes paranoid and doesn’t want to be suspected.
Macbeth suspects Banquo knowing that Banquo knows the prophecy. He orders
murderers to kill Banquo because Banquo poses as a threat to the throne. “Both
of you know Banquo was your enemy- He’s mine too- I could have him removed
quite openly, and say it was my wish. But I mustn’t. We have certain mutual
friends whose loyalty I need. So I’ll have to mourn his death, though I killed
him myself. That’s why I’m seeking your help.” (3.1.112.114.115-120) Banquo was
known to be Macbeth’s loyal and good friend. To murder your good friend, just
so you can continue being the throne is absolutely crazy. Power can make
someone do ridiculous things.
In the end of the play, we see a
completely different Macbeth. At first Macbeth is a good man with good morals.
He is loyal to all royalty and is known to be a great warrior. As he becomes
king, his whole character changes. He kills his king, his good friend and an
innocent family. And for what? All for power. He’s not the same person. Macduff
then kills him and Macduff becomes the throne.
The play, “Macbeth,” holds many
themes and lessons. The main theme of Macbeth is “power is the root of all
evil.” Power can make someone become selfish, they start to become greedy and
desperate. Lady Macbeth pressured her husband murder the king to become throne.
Power can make someone do crazy and ridiculous things. Macbeth killed many just
to be the throne. This shows that to obtain power, you must do anything to
achieve power. And finally, power can turn you into a completely different
person. They could change from loyal to devious. Power is the root of all evil.
