Essay: The Corruption of Power

In the play ​Macbeth​, Shakespeare uses the expectations of manhood to introduce the changes in Macbeth’s character throughout the play, in order to convey the corrupting influence of power. The different themes shown in this play can help an audience to not only better understand the text, but also learn from the experiences mentioned. Society has all kinds of expectations of what manhood really is but in ​Macbeth​, the expectations varied throughout the play. Looking deeper into the text, I better understood the theme and Macbeth’s change of character through the play.
At the beginning of the play, Macbeth expresses the expectations of manhood to explain why he shouldn’t kill Duncan. Shakespeare uses his expression to show the audience the honorable part of his character while he is not being corrupted by power. “Prithee, peace: / I dare do all that may become a man; / Who dares do more is none.” (1.7.45-47). Macbeth is very firm and strong with this quote and seems very sure of his choice to let Duncan live. He tells his wife that a real man would not do any more, proving that her expectations of manhood are wrong. The side of Macbeth before the influence of power is conveyed through this scene and gives the audience the idea that Macbeth will not go through with the murder.
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Later in the text, Macbeth uses his power and the same false expectations to trick the murderers into killing the threats to his ultimate power. “Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men; / As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, / Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept / All by the name of dogs” (3.1.94-97). Macbeth changes his point of view and uses the same manipulative techniques that Lady Macbeth tried on him, on the murderers. This quote proves that Macbeth has already begun to change focus and dig himself deeper into crime, because of his desperate need for power. Macbeth no longer feels that the murder is wrong, but now he believes the opposite. He is willing to manipulate others to become king, already showing the negative influence that power has put on him.
Another character brought later in the play, contributes an idea of manhood opposite of Macbeth. “Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men and hang up them.” (4.2.55). The boy’s definition of a man is a honest person, which also implies that liars and swearers are not men. All throughout the play Macbeth has lied and manipulated characters for his own sake. While hearing the quote, the audience could compare the boy’s idea of a man, with Macbeth’s idea of a man. Evidently, readers would find that Macbeth does not come to mind as an honest person because of the influence that power has brought upon him.
The theme of ​Macbeth​ was difficult to comprehend without knowing the different views of manhood suggested by the characters. The development of Macbeth’s character is a lesson to anyone with the desire of power. The influence of power lead to destruction without a happy ending for Macbeth which people should see as a warning to anyone in power. The desire to be powerful can lead to an uncontrollable trail of corruption. Readers can also see and understand the importance of manhood in this time. Characters in ​Macbeth​ use the expectations of a man as a manipulative tactic to get what they want. It shows how much these men care about the way that their ability to be a man is portrayed. Understanding the development of the characters caused by power, can help others to be aware of the issues surrounding one person having too much control. It can also help the public understand the various government concepts throughout our world’s history. People all over the world use techniques such as, “balance of power,” or, “seperation of powers,” to ensure that no ruler has a significant amount of power. Macbeth had too much power and it destroyed his soul, but with others helping to control the distribution of power it might not have gotten so out of control. Power should not be something that causes a person to muder, as seen in ​Macbeth.​ Readers should consider the importance of a controlled power and the important lesson exhibited through the experiences in ​Macbeth​.
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