Power Corrupts Macbeth by Mitch S.

Power corrupts Macbeth in unforgiving ways. Macbeth is the main character in the play Macbeth. He was a Scottish general ambitious enough to commit regicide to become king, he was a top general who people respected and trusted. While walking through the cobweb forest one afternoon with Banquo, Macbeth heard some strange sounds coming from the trees, he then says “show yourself you evil spirits” then suddenly a very pale woman appeared spinning some string inside a small tent, Macbeth and Banquo were startled by this an began asking the woman questions. She then responded and told Macbeth about his future, she told him that he would one day become king, but he will have to kill King Duncan in order to achieve that goal and to also fear Macduff. This made Macbeth start to think of greed. She then disappeared back into the forest and everything she had with her disappeared as well.

Macbeth emerges from the cobweb forest with Banquo and soon begins to question if what he just encountered was real and that he wasn’t imagining it. Later that night Macbeth decides that he will go back to the cobweb forest and try to contact the “evil spirit”. While riding his horse through the forest he heard a familiar sound and then he encountered the ghostly figure once again. He then began to ask a series of questions about his future and the woman then responded, she told him that he would become king as long as he killed King Duncan. She then told Macbeth that Banquo’s son would be the only one stopping him. He would be the next king if King Duncan had passed away. She then disappeared back into the forest and Macbeth decided that he would kill the king. Killing the king is a risky idea, the power that he could receive corrupted Macbeth by greed. He was only thinking of himself and didn’t realize that he could in fact ruin the kingdom and the lives of thousands. The next day Macbeth set out and thought up a plan to eliminate the king. If the king was to die Macbeth would have a shot at taking command. The next day Macbeth and his wife went over to the kings’ castle and Lady Macbeth poisoned all the guards and Macbeth murdered King Duncan in his sleep. Once the news spread throughout the land, Macbeth was then offered the roll of king and accepted it.

As king of all the land, Macbeth decided to go off into the cobweb forest and try to contact the “evil spirits” once again. After waiting a few minutes he found the strange woman and praised her because her prediction had come true. He then began to ask her about his future and demanded to know. She then told him that no man born to a woman could kill him. But beware of Banquo and his family. Then she disappeared and Macbeth was startled. He then began fearing that he may have competition and quickly decided to kill Banquo and his family. All of this new power was going straight to Macbeths head, he felt invincible because the predictions the lady in the woods was making were all coming true. Now that he’s the king, no one will question him, he can do anything he wants right now, this power is corrupting Macbeths over all well being and is about to ruin his family. The next day Macbeth sent out some of his warriors to kill Banquo and his son. Later that night they returned and brought the news that Banquo’s son had escaped, but that Banquo was dead. Over the next few days the nearby castles decided to join forces to try and take over the thrown of Macbeth. While all of this is happening Lady Macbeth had a miscarriage and this was devastating to Macbeth for if he was to die no one in his family would take the thrown.

As the surrounding castles of the land started to team up, Macbeth decided to visit the forest for one more time, begging the “evil spirits” to show themselves for one more time. He then asked if his castle would loose the battle, they assured him that he would be victorious, as long as he created a river of blood and killed everyone in the battle, as gruesome as possible. This made him feel unstoppable. Macbeth then returned to the castle and told his story about how he has been talking to these “evil spirits” and every prediction they have made had come true. He persuaded the army to fight strong and that they will come out victorious. As the fast approaching armies surrounded the castle they got ready to fight. Macduff’s army was ready to fight; then Macbeth received the news that his wife had been murdered. This crushed Macbeth; he was wildly enraged and became crazy. A few hours later Macbeth received the news that Lady Macbeth had in fact committed suicide. She had to have sensed that the end was near. As the nearby armies came closer, the gates opened up and the armies charged each other. Macbeth and Macduff were leading the way and then clashed sparking a huge blood bath. As they road towards each other, swords drawn, Macduff beheaded Macbeth thus ending the “evil spirits” prediction and ending Macbeth’s life. The reign of Macbeth was lost and the castle was taken over. Power corrupted Macbeth’s mind and family but ultimately ruined his life.