Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

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How true is this of Shakespeares eponymous protagonist Macbeth?

Explain how Shakespeare uses language imagery and stagecraft to show his demise.
Shakespeares Macbeth was written in 1603 and is the enticing story of Macbeths unlawful rise
to power and his inevitable downfall. With power he becomes corrupt, a bloodthirsty tyrant
and a victim of his own success. Throughout the play imagery, language and stagecraft are
infused to create a malevolent and malicious image of Macbeth. With the influence of Lady
Macbeth, he becomes ruthless and his vision is subverted with ambition, nothing will stand in
his way. Nothing.
The quote Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely is clearly
suitable for Shakespeares eponymous protagonist Macbeth. In Act One Scene 3, Macbeth
meets the witches; from this moment in the play onwards Macbeth has an insatiable lust for
power. The witches predict that three events will happen, they predict he will be Thane of
Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor but the last shocks him the most all hail Macbeth, that shalt be
King hereafter. At first Macbeth seems perplexed, however as the first prediction becomes
true he decides to take matters into his own hands and murder the King Macbeth would never
have killed King Duncan if the first two predictions had not come true. As he gains a higher
status in society, he becomes ravenous for more.
Duncan bestows trust in Macbeth. At first Macbeth is horrified by the thought of murdering
Duncan and the moral implications that go along with it, but as Lady Macbeth involves herself
he becomes more eager.
Throughout the entire play there is an imagery of blood. Macbeth says "Will all great
Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red." He is reflecting on the
murderous deeds he has carried out. Macbeth has started to realise that his guilt cannot
simply be washed off. Incarnadine means to make something pink or red and here Macbeth is
making the sea red;red with blood-the blood of his victims.
Lady Macbeth has a strong influence on Macbeths actions and is partially responsible for his
corruption. When they find out that Duncan is coming to stay with them for a night, they
realise the opportunity they have to eradicate him. While discussing their options Lady
Macbeth tells Macbeth to look like thinnocent flower, but be the serpent undert. She
is telling Macbeth to make sure his intentions are discreet and to put on a warm and friendly
look while she takes care of Duncan.
It is clear that at this point Macbeth does not want to murder Duncan, he battles with his
conscience. Shakespeare uses a soliloquy to show us Macbeths true feelings at the beginning
of Act 1 Scene 7. When Macbeth says if it were done when tis done, then twere well if
it done quickly, although ambition is spurring him on, he knows what he is planning on
doing is wrong, he wants it over and done with-fast. Macbeth decides hes not going to kill
Duncan as Duncan has given him many opportunities. Lady Macbeth is outraged at this, she
claims she would never have broken a promise like this, How tender tis to love the babe

who milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple
from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done
to this. Lady Macbeth is saying that if she had taken up a task such as this one, she would
have murdered her own baby rather than break a promise such as this one. Shakespeare uses
an antithesis, using something as innocent as a baby and comparing it to a murderous deed
such as this one. Shakespeare also uses very menacing adjectives like dashed so emphasise
Lady Macbeths anger and her resolute determination. The imagery used is extremely vicious
and unnatural. Lady Macbeths behaviour is very unfeminine as mothers usually have tender
care for their children.
Lady Macbeth says that she will deal with the King, however, when it comes to the murder,
Duncan reminded her of her father and so she cannot kill him and so Macbeth kills him in the
end. This is a significant event in the play, Macbeth has been able to kill someone who was
near him, and who trusted him. He conjures the courage to kill the King but after this event
people are merely removable obstacles in his ultimate conquest for victory. This shows that
power has corrupted and enabled him to murder another human. This is the beginning of his
demise.
Macbeth is crowned King, his hubris is clearly shown in the way that after he becomes King,
he becomes even more bloodthirsty and is able to dispose of people without consulting Lady
Macbeth-his beloved wife.
This is proved when Banquo and his children are murdered. At the beginning of the play,
Macbeth and Duncan are very good friends. It is only when Macbeth hears Thou shalt get
kings, though thou be none from the witches that he begins to be wary of Banquo. He is
told by the witches that he will be King. However, Macbeths children will not become Kings. As
King, he orders the deaths of Banquo and his son an act which again would have been
unthinkable before he was King-and friends this Banquo. Once again, this action proves that
absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Shakespeare uses a split line to show Macbeths paranoia when he writes What my good lord
and then Macbeth says Thou canst say I did; never shake. A split line is used here as
Shakespeare is emphasising that Macbeth is answering too quickly, making other around him
suspicious. Paranoia is taking over, he is seeing a ghost that doesnt exist . Power has
corrupted him to such an extent, he is now hallucinating. This is a strong element of his
demise, people are now apprehensive about Macbeth and his actions and some are beginning
to suspect him.
Perhaps the words that give Macbeth the most power, and certainly confidence are from the
witches, they say none of a woman born shall harm Macbeth. This gives Macbeth a
tremendous amount of self-assurance boost and he becomes arrogant and completely corrupt;
he thinks he is invincible. This is a contributory in his downfall especially when he finds out
that Macduff is caesarean born. The witches are also a part of Macbeths downfall they say
"Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
shall come against him". Such an event like this was thought to be impossible; the witches
give him sheer confidence and the feeling of being indomitable by telling him that only when a
forest moves towards his castle he can be harmed. Macbeth says Till Birnam wood remove
to Dunsinane, I cannot taint with fear proving that he thinks he in invincible.
To conclude, I agree that the quote power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely
sums up Macbeth. From the very first time he sees the witches he becomes corrupt nothing is
adequate for him; as he discards anyone standing in his way. Becoming King also means he
has absolute power. Once King, Macbeth becomes everyones enemy, he is convinced he is
invincible which leads to his inevitable downfall and demise.

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