The Theme About Great Ambitions and a Blind Desire to Have Power - Literature review Example

?Macbeth The tragedy by William Shakespeare "Macbeth" is a great story about a strong desire for power instead of different obstacles. It is a story of two persons, who became blind because of their eternal desire to have immense power. Shakespeare interpreted the plot of King of Scotland, Macbeth (1040). Duncan was a young ruler, as it is noted in the Chronicles of Scotland. But Shakespeare interpreted it in such a way that Duncan was older and the deed of murder was more tragically reflected in his play. A character of an impulsive lady Macbeth is borrowed by Shakespeare from other Chronicles. The character of Macbeth is not shown as a strong ruler, who he really was in 1040. Moreover, Shakespeare's representation of the plot was influenced by Queen Elizabeth and later by James VI. During times of Queen Elizabeth the plot was rather dramatic, but during times of James VI it was necessary to polish the plot, because James VI was involved in the story of Duncan murder. James VI was focused on the necessity to kill witches and Shakespeare reflects this tendency in his dramatic play as well. Therefore, Shakespeare adapted this tragedy to his times. The contemporaries have many difficulties with comprehension of the story. That is why it is relevant to interpret the nature of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth characters, the context of their relations development etc. Act II depicts to us the way the relations between these spouses have changed. Lady Macbeth shows her cunning nature and reflects her inner strength. Unlike her, Macbeth is shown as a weak-willed person, who cannot properly behave in a risky situation. Of course, he is a murderer, but he is afraid even to think about the consequences of his deed and to say "amen". It means that he is afraid of his soul and his inner condition of turmoil leaves him concentrated on his "bloody hands". He does not know what to do next and Lady Macbeth is jockeying at him and tries to redirect his negative thoughts into actions, which should be taken in order to catch up the moment. Macbeth is too emotional and Lady Macbeth strictly criticizes this feature of his character. She is sure that there is something to be done immediately and the murder is only a necessary step taken for further glory. Blood and death do not scare her off. This fact underlines that the character of Lady Macbeth is rather strong and unlike other women she is not afraid of cruelty. She is a goal-oriented person and she needs to have the same strong partner. Unfortunately, as it comes out, their efforts were idle and Macbeth is beheaded in the struggle. He is not a talented general and Shakespeare wanted to show that all our deeds are resembled in the same way in our lives. Once you killed someone, your life will be taken for sure. Moreover, an attempt of a murder is not shown as a brave deed; it is an escape from responsibility for future fight for a better social position. We can see wild ambitions and a violent corruption of power. Nowadays this theme is relevant to the same extent. The contemporaries may be interested in the depiction of crime and punishment in the 11th century in Scotland and compare it to modern times. Modern power is often vicious and corrupted. It means that the society is developing along the same paths and it is important to show the outcomes of such an unfair power, as it was shown in Macbeth by Shakespeare. Moreover, it is interesting to read between the lines the theme about great ambitions and a blind desire to have power. This is another crucial theme for the modern businessmen. They often close their eyes, committing crimes and offend innocent people in order to reach their goals. It would be better to think about their inner essence. Who knows, if Macbeth continued his self-concentration and did not listen to pacified speeches of his wife, he would confessed in his murder… His wife often acclaimed for being more than just a man. She wanted power and she was blinded by a possibility of having immense power if only her husband could commit a murder. Lady Macbeth used her husband to embody her vicious plans. This woman is also a panicking person. She is not strong; she was just affected by a strong desire of having power. She commits a suicide and in case she was strong, she would not do it for sure. They wanted to become closer by becoming partners in the crime, like Boney and Clyde, but their marriage failed because they allowed their poignant ideas ruling over them. Macbeth dies and Lady Macbeth commits a suicide. There is no matter, where he or she dies. Death finds them because they were not afraid of imposing it on other persons for reaching their goals. Now, it is time to pay for them. The masterpiece by William Shakespeare "Macbeth" is a great story about people who wanted to gain a power despite of different obstacles on their way. On the one hand, Shakespeare shows a "perfect marriage", when spouses are united by their common goals, by their feelings and emotions, by their madness and death. But on the other hand it is clear that Shakespeare appeals for the audience in order to prevent people from committing murders or just allowing their perverted feelings dominate over them. This topic can be met in the creations of many writers, but Shakespeare, like a real genius did his best to help people understand his main idea and reveal the drawbacks all humans have. In any case, this tragedy is interpreted by many directors in different films and a character of Lady Macbeth is shown in detail. It can be explained by her inner closeness to our grandmother Eve, who tempted Adam and made him eat an apple in the Eden. It is an eternal story: a woman as a core of discord… References Shakespeare, W. The Tragedy of Macbeth. [online]. Available from: http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethps.html [Accessed January 12, 2012]. Read More