The Treatment of the Lower Class in Macbeth Anonymous 12th Grade

Issues regarding social class often tend to stem from innate human desires for power and influence. Throughout history, power has been shown to be a very dangerous tool for those who are not fit to hold it, and this topic is extremely prevalent in the tragic play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare. Throughout the play, Macbeth’s gradual transition from a brave and noble soldier to a corrupted king, is initially heavily influenced by his manipulative wife, Lady Macbeth, who pressures him to kill Duncan after hearing of the witches’ prophecies. However as time goes on, Macbeth is seen to break free from the influence of Lady Macbeth, and starts to make cruel and treasonous decisions of his own. Macbeth’s treatment of the lower, unnoble class directly reflects the shift in power and control that he undergoes in regards to his relationship with Lady Macbeth, as well as his changing interpretations of the witches’ prophecies. Therefore, characters of lower-class in Macbeth are mistreated and taken advantage of by Macbeth, for the purpose of demonstrating an ironic shift in Macbeth’s power and confidence throughout the play.

Firstly, the three murderers are convinced by Macbeth to kill Banquo and Fleance, in a similar fashion...