Ambiguity and Equivocation in Macbeth :: Free Macbeth Essays

Ambiguity and nonpayment in Macbeth          Macbeths voluntary misinterpretation of the equivocalness andequivocation of the witches relates to the plays theme, which states thatuncontrolled craving for power often leads to irregular or violent actions,resulting in expiry  and or destruction. After the first of the witchesprophecies comes accredited, Macbeth begins to believe in their truth.  However,he too believes that the prophecies must exclusively lead to his enrichment andempowerment. To that end, he twists the witches words to fit his avowpurposes, ignoring the possibility that the prophecies might have other,less fortunate meanings. This voluntary misinterpretation, connected inpursuit of power, leads Macbeth to perform certain actions which result inthe demolition of the king, Macbeths friends, and eventually his own death.         From the beginning of the play, Macbeth desires great powe r. ladyMacbeths statement to Macbeth that When you durst do it, then you were aman (I.vii.55) suggests that she and Macbeth have contemplated andpossibly committed cut up for the sake of advancement before. Macbethprovides further support for this in his reaction to the witches prodigythat he will be king. After Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor, he realizesthat the witches were right, and immediately begins to ponder the otherpart of their prophecy. My thought, whose mangle yet is but fantastical,(I.iii.153) he thinks, bringing murder to the front of his mind almost as curtly as the witches are proven right. Later in the play, Macbeths desirefor power, advance by the witches, leads him to kill the king and assumethe throne.         Macbeth and his wife use ambiguity and equivocation themselves inpursuit of power.         All our service / In each point twice done, and then done        d ouble, / Were poor and single commercial enterprise to contend / Against        those honors deep and broad wherewith / Your Majesty loads        our house. (I.vi.17-21) With this announcement, Lady Macbeth states that if all she could do in hisservice had been done four times over, it lock away would not do honor to theking. The ambiguous nature of this statement is that it is true even thoughshe has not done everything she could. It is true, and so she gains thekings trust and gracility through ambiguous honesty even though she plansto help Macbeth murder him.  Macbeth issues a similar statement in thekings presence he tells him Ill be myself the harbinger, and makejoyful the hearing of my wife with your approach his statement, like LadyMacbeths, is technically true, but bears murderous intent. He will tell