Macbeth’s Profligate Path to Power

Marcus Aurelais believed, “A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than him: and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The one produces aspiration; the other ambition, which is the way a vulgar man aspires. In William Shakespeare's tragic play, Macbeth, Macbeth starts out as a noble man who aspires to gain power, however, his lust for power causes him to aspire like a vulgar man. Macbeth deliberately commits iniquitous acts to gain the authority he seeks; he forgets the ethics and morals that are endorsed by humanity. Macbeth shamelessly acts lowly and takes the unethical route to power. This allows his id, the source of instinctive pulses, to overshadow his ego, the source which prevents one from acting on their basic impulses. As a result, Macbeth shamelessly produces ambition on his path to power because he relentlessly kills, brazenly betrays and possess corrupt morals. Macbeth’s ambition continuously grows as he despicably commits numerous murders to maintain his power. Macbeth has the desire to gain supremacy and so he seizes the throne by killing Duncan. After Lady Macbeth signals him, he declares, “I go, and it is done; the bell invites me” (2.1.69-71). Macbeth gains the power he craves by wrongfully killing Duncan because he is an obstacle on Macbeth’s path. This single act fuels his ambitious thirst, which causes him to kill Banquo since he does not want any hindrances in his path. Macbeth tells the murderer’s that: Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves, Acquint you with the perfect spy o’th’time The moment on ’t; for ’t must be done tonight, (3.1.132-135)

Inspite of having authority, Macbeth’s power feels threatened by Banquo, even though he is innocent, and so he