Macbeth and the Power of Persuasion - 1465 Words

Persuasion is a powerful and threatening tool against those who are weak. It can sway ones decisions between good and evil, concealing judgment and jading the conscience. It plays the critical role of a spectral villain, an invisible danger to the protagonist in William Shakespeares Macbeth. Macbeth is a victim of persuasion of others, making him ultimately not responsible for his actions. Macbeths own partner Lady Macbeth persuades her husband to commit murder and fulfill his ambition. The three witches and their Queen influence Macbeths decisions through the use of predictions as well as the supernatural. Lastly, the three apparitions conjured by the witches play a very crucial role in establishing Macbeths fate through their†¦show more content†¦Persuasion is a process that is effective only on the weak-spirited. When Macbeth learns of his future, his weaknesses and ambition are exposed to us: The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step on which I must fall down, or else oer -leap, for in my way it lies. (1.4.49-51). Macbeth yearns for his seat on the throne. He is already a very respectable man. He is the noble, loyal, and worthy Thane of Glamis (and Cawdor, which he is currently unaware of) as well as a valorous soldier, but Macbeth is still completely absorbed in the witches prophecies and even considers killing the example of innocence and goodness, King Duncan. He is full of greed and ambition, only lacking the evil to fulfill his lust for the power that resides in the throne of Scotland. These qualities make Macbeth a weak and easy man to persuade and corrupt, ultimately leading him into madness, his decline, and lastly his death. Alongside these flaws, the power of the supernatural and mans weakness of pride will ensure that the fall of Macbeth will be inevitable. Hecate, the Queen of Witches explains to her subordinates how they will lead him to his doom in this exact fashion: And that distilled by magic sleights, Shall raise such artificial sprites, As by the strength of their illusion, Shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes bove wisdom, grace, and fear; And you all know security IsShow MoreRelatedEssay about Macbeth623 Words   |  3 Pages Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s Ambition The driving force to achieve the Macbeths’ goals was ambition. However, because they were solemnly ambitious at the same aptitude, it caused them not to fully achieve their goals, as one was always more or less ambitious than the other. Ambition is a characteristic of human nature, which, if expressed in an evil manner, can corrupt the entire person, leaving them permanently evil. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are great examples of these types of people. In WilliamRead MoreCause Of Macbeths Downfall955 Words   |  4 PagesThe Causes of Macbeths Downfall Essay (English Yearly) INTRODUCTION {DON’T HAVE TOO MANY FACTS IN INTRODUCTION ANAYLISE MORE USING THE FIRST SECTIONS OF EACH PARAGRAPH} Macbeth is a powerful and emotionally intense play. As an audience, we see how a well-regarded and loyal soldier change to a murderous tyrant. Lady Macbeth continuously pressures Macbeth, when he fears he has gone too far, playing a major role in his downfall. It is his ambition, along with the influence of his wife and the strainRead MoreThe Relationship of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeares Play1131 Words   |  5 PagesThe Relationship of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeares Play The play begins when Macbeth meets three witches and is given three prophecies - one of which is that he will be king. In Lady Macbeths first scene she is reading a letter from her husband telling her about the witchs predictions. Upon reading the letter she instantly decides to obtain the crown for Macbeth through any possible means. Lady Macbeth is viewed as very controlling, strong, and certain;Read More Butcher and His Fiend Like Queen in William Shakespeares Macbeth1034 Words   |  5 PagesQueen in William Shakespeares Macbeth I do agree with this judgement of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but only in some aspects of the play by William Shakespeare. There are many arguments for this judgement; these will be discussed in this essay. In act one scene two Macbeth is portrayed as a heartless, merciless and brutal warrior. We get this impression of Macbeth from the report that is given to King Duncan by the captain; For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)Read MoreMacbeth by William Shakespeare857 Words   |  3 Pagesrelates to the text: Power corrupts, and Absolute power corrupts absolutely This quote means that the one who has complete authority is extremely likely to abuse his position. Absolute power refers to complete, unchallengeable power where the holder has no external compulsions and is answerable to none about his actions. It builds on the idea that every human being has the potential to become a benevolent dictator given the right situation. Power, or simply the desire for power, can cause peopleRead MoreThe Theme Of Ambition In Macbeth And Enders Game880 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare’s MacBeth and Peter’s ambition from Card’s Ender’s Game blinds judgement and logic, and they eventually end up more harming than succeeding. In the play MacBeth by Shakespeare, MacBeth is strangely met by three witches, who declares his prophecy of being king, but later losing the crown. Lady MacBeth ambitious goal for MacBeth remain king results in her going to extreme measures, and she ruins her relationship with MacBeth, eventually causing them to both die. Unlike MacBeth, the novel Ender’sRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth And Othello1417 Words   |  6 PagesHello, I’m William Shakespeare, the famous and historically known playwright of plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello and Macbeth. Today I will be talking to you all about two of my plays, Othello and Macbeth. I will also be talking to you all about the social, political and historical themes in my plays and my intent for writing them. I wrote Macbeth and Othello during the reign of King James the 1st of England. Events that were occurring during that time period and the feeling of theRead MoreMacbeth S Crimes Essay669 Words   |  3 Pagescrimes† Do you agree? In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, we are faced with a character, Macbeth, who is known as a strong soldier in the play and from this we can infer that he is a determined character. In saying that, we witness the transition from a character that is already very ambitious, into a character that becomes fuelled with the desire for power. The fuel had begun from the prophecies and apparitions given by the witches in telling Macbeth that he will rule the kingdom of Scotland. NotRead MoreGender Representations in Macbeth - William Shakespeare1623 Words   |  7 PagesThe play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, explores an abundant of encounters to the rigid gender representation demonstrated in the play. The play revolves around the questioning of femininity and masculinity, allowing us to explore how certain characters equivocate the definition of gender to please their favour and how each gender identities are created for persuasion of the natural order that corresponds to the traditional order - Lady Macbeth and Macbeth exploit and redefine gender ideologyRead MoreOpinion of Macbeth833 Words   |  4 Pagesopinion throughout the text about a significant idea. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in the 16th century as tribute to king James the first. At the start of the text king Duncan made me believe that anyone could be a good leader, Duncan effectively portrayed this idea because he put the needs of his country in front of his own. Throughout the text Shakespeare influenced my opinion to change when Macbeth came into power as he cared about no one but himself; Shakespeare influences re seen well through