The Power Struggle in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay -- GCSE English Lite

The Power Struggle in Macbeth In Shakespeares Macbeth, the focus that is placed on the sheath of madam Macbeth helps to convey the plays theme of the strife created by the struggle for berth and control that is present throughout the entire work. Shakespeare presents her char comporter in great detail and shows her to be a dominating, authoritative woman who thrives on the might she holds over her husband. He then shows the principle character, Macbeth, go on up and join his wife in a struggle for power of his own. It is the actions that Macbeth takes in attempt to achieve ultimate authority that lead to his downfall, and it is maam Macbeths loss of control over her husband as he gains this freedom which causes her own weakening and eventually leads to her demise as well. The struggle for power and control in Macbeth is present from the very beginning, as Shakespeare portrays doll Macbeth as a ruthless, overpowering woman who dominates her husband and his actions. She make s Macbeths decisions for him without giving him any verify in his own actions, and she orders her husband to do what she determines to be best for him. It is Lady Macbeth who contrives the plan to kill King Dun butt end, because she knows that Macbeth would never commit such an act on his own without her prodding. She develops the plan and organizes the details while expecting Macbeth to merely number her orders. This becomes evident when she says to him, Only look up clear,(1.5.70) and leave the rest to me(1.5.72). She intends to reinforcement him under her control by making decisions for him and not allowing him to think for himself. Lady Macbeth is able to achieve such power over her husband by continually insulting his manliness and boasting her... ...e is an authoritative figure who thrives on her ability to rule her husbands life, and watching Macbeth gain independence at her spending eats her up inside and causes her to lose her sanity. She fulfills the tables of power being turned, and she begins to see herself in the position her husband formerly held, that of a weak, submissive individual. She can not allow herself to live her life that way, and, as it is explained in the culture speech of the play, . . . Macbeths fiendlike queen,/Who, as tis thought, by self and violent hands/ Took glowering her life. . .(5.8.69-71). Lady Macbeth saw death as the only way she could get off a life of passiveness and weakness which she believed was inevitable once she at sea control of Macbeths actions. Works CitedShakespeare, William. Macbeth. The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Ed. David Bevington. New York Longman, 1997