Macbeth Essays (1296 words) - Characters In Macbeth,

Macbeth Macbeth's Representation of Ambition From top to bottom of the ladder, greed is aroused without knowing where to find ultimate foothold. Nothing can calm it, since its goal is far beyond all it can attain. Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefor abandoned. Many have dreamed up republics and principalities that have never in truth been known to exist; the gulf between how one should live and how one does live is so wide that a man who neglects what is actually done for what should be done learns the way to self destruction rather than self-preservation. Italian political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) states that greed leads men to their downfall, a concept which is paralleled with Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. This play is the representation of human society in which Macbeth represents man. The play opens with 3 witches who honor Macbeth with three titles: Thane of Glamis (his present title), Thane of Cawdor (his son to be announced title) and the pr ophecy that he will be king hereafter. Macbeth who is roused by his vaulting ambitions, lust for power, tempted by these titles, murders his rivals to the throne with his wife. As a result of his ruthless quest for power leads him to his fate. Erich Fromm (1900-1980), a psychologist once stated greed is a bottomless pit which haunts man in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction. He who comes along greed is condemned to this bottomless pit. Shakespeare demonstrates that greed that harms others, destroys the holder: mentally and morally, and eventually leads to ones ultimate destruction. When man is driven by greed to achieving their goal, they are stripped away of their morals and ethics. Macbeth is fighting a war, a deadly game where man takes advantage of others to win and claim the title of king. if it were done when ?tis done, then ?twere well it were done quickly. If the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch, with the surcease, success; that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we'd jump the life to come. But in these cases we still have judgement here; that we but teach bloody instruction, which being taught, return to the plague of inventor: this even handed justice condemns the ingredients of our poison'd chalice to our own lips. (Act I, Scene VII) Macbeth has confused feelings about murdering Duncan, his worthiest cousin. He hesitates to murder Duncan because he is scared of the consequences which may somehow return and plague him. He questions to himself, how would his new s ubjects react? However, his ambition numbs the fear and the conscience concerning consequences and his morals. At this point, he is already morally degraded. Macbeth does not question the morality of the actions of what he is about to take but instead worries about the consequences he may have to face if he fails. Thus Macbeth does not fear or feel any moral remorse in committing the murder itself. Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: ?tis much he dares: and to that dauntless temper of his murder he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety. There is none but he whose being I do fear: and under him, my genius is rebuked. ( Act III, Scene II) Macbeth is irritated by Banquo, whose existence is a hinderence towards his fulfillment of the prophecies. My lord, his (Banquo's) throat is cut; that I did for him. (Act III, Scene II) Macbeth deals with this by murdering Banquo. However, this time he does not contemplat e over whether or not to murder Banquo but the actions he takes are caprice. By the end of the play, Macbeth does not feel a bit of hesitation to taking the life of another. Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. (Act IV, SceneI) Greed degrades a man's morals by blinding him of them, only allowing a