Themes In Macbeth

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The Anglo-Irish feminist, intellectual, and writer Mary Wollstonecraft has stated that, “No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.” This is evident in Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”. The evil that occurs in this play begins when the witches deliver Macbeth his prophecy. The evil deeds dominate over the happiness that Macbeth may have been searching for in hopes of fulfilling his prophecy. Many themes in “Macbeth” deal with the consequences that followed the terrible acts he performed. Three major themes Shakespeare exposed are: greed for power can corrupt human behaviour; feelings of guilt can burden the human mind and cause mental breakdowns; receiving a position that is undeserved would cause the human mind to feel uncomfortable.
Early on Macbeth was told by the three witches that he, the thane of Glamis, would also be named thane of Cawdor and then would be soon crowned King. When Macbeth was given the title, thane of Cawdor, he became very aware that the rest of the witches’ prophecy may be accurate as well. However, it wasn’t until after Macbeth was crowned King that the power corrupted him. It was Lady Macbeth who had planned King Duncan’s murder and the framing of the guards because Macbeth was too worried about the consequences. However, the greed for power corrupted and changed Macbeth. “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed.” (Act 3: II, line 50-51) Macbeth consoled Lady Macbeth about the necessity of the terrible things planned. The desire for power drove Macbeth to planning a second murder so he could feel secure.

“I am in blood stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3: IV, line 167-169)

After committing the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth had decided that he had already gone so far to get
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