Macbeth Thematic Statements
“Precaution is better than cure.”
The quote above states that we should always take precautionary measures to prevent ourselves from getting into harm’s way. It is better to be well informed about the consequences of your actions, than suffer in the future out of ignorance. William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” warns the audience against the acts they might commit, which will backfire. Power is like lust, there is no end to it. In the play “Macbeth”, Macbeth is not satisfied with the titles he holds; The thane of Gladis and the The thane of Cawdor. He wants something above that, he wants to be the King of Scotland.
Macbeth is portrayed as an ambitious man in the starting of the play. As the play progresses, the ambition and power take a hold of him, preventing him to follow his conscience. “That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Valuating ambition, which o’erleaps itself And folks on the other.” - Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 25-28. IN the quote, Macbeth admits it is only ambition to an over-eager rider who in trying to leap onto his horse’ saddle, leaps over the horse. Macbeth is similar to the horse rider. He wants to gain power by killing Duncan and doesn’t follow his conscience. The hunger of power without conscience leads to a person’s demise. Like the rider, Macbeth could stay as the King of Scotland and was killed by Macduff. Macbeth was ambitions like a lot of people but the witches pushed it to a “further level.”
The witches told Macbeth the prophecy which stated that Macbeth would become the Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland. The prophecy made Macbeth believe that he can be the King, but did not realize the ploy against him. Human nature is to trust people or ideas quickly, which will help them to achieve their motives, but the ideas should not be believed without a solid proof. “But ‘tis strange; And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of...
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