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Examples Of Absolute Power In Macbeth

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Robert Shea once said, “Anyone who seeks power wants absolute power.” In the tragic play of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth journies through the consequences of a temptation for absolute power. As the Thane of Glamis, Macbeth displays his strength and loyalty toward the king. When the Three Witches come upon him and reveal what will become of him, temptation floods over him and impatience arises. However, Banquo, his war ally, warns Macbeth that even though what the witches said seems favorable, they may have hidden motives that ultimately may not benefit Macbeth. Although Macbeth desires to let fate determine his path, he takes matters into his own hands and seeks instant power. That urge is the very cause of his downfall. He eventually …show more content…
Saul and Macbeth gain the power of king. The only remaining factor is the way to maintain that power. Macbeth seeks to abolish anyone who is in his way, including his once close friend, Banquo, and especially his son, Fleance, who is to be the next king. Saul, on the other hand, builds up murderous intent on David, the boy God chose to be his successor, someone he once saw as a lovely, young man. As soon as Samuel anoints David as the next king of Israel “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul. and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him, ‘Behold now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you’ ” (I Samuel 16:14-15). Saul takes action and calls for a lyre player to cheer himself up. Coincidentally, David is brought to the presence of Saul. By playing his music, Saul gets to “like him very much, and David became one of his armor bearers” (I Samuel 16:21). Amusingly, when David plays his music, he reveals that he will be the most powerful king, and his chorus echoes, “Saul has slain thousands, and David his ten thousands” (I Samuel 18:7). This stirs jealousy and anger within Saul and he begins to take action against him. With David’s proclamation of future king, Saul would always pay attention to him. This leads to “an evil spirit from God” to possess Saul, which leads to himself “raving within his house, while David is playing the lyre” (I Samuel 18:10). With his spear in hand, Saul would try to “pin David to the wall. But David evaded him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul” (I Samuel 18:11-12). Saul never lets go of his hatred for David until his death. Macbeth, on the other hand, is fearful of Banquo due to his exceptional observation and for the fact that his son, Fleance, will be the future king. This causes Macbeth to want Banquo dead, because his fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his

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