Macbeth: What Is Being Said About Influence and Manipulation

What are we as humans far more afraid of free choice or a forced decision? Manipulation and influence are presented in many ways through out the course of this book. This essay will be more of a comparative analysis between two novels The Tragedy Of Macbeth and Paradise Lost. Though influence may be a large section of our lives manipulation is what gets us to do things.

In both stories prophecies were told, but there were told in a malicious way. In the novel Macbeth the main character was told he would some day become king in an ill begotten fashion. It doesn't seem possible to gain a crown in a bad way. There words are very deceitful. Then there prophecies turn to Macbeth's friend Banquo, witches say "lesser than Macbeth, and greater,"(William Shakespeare act I scene III) and "not so happy, yet much happier"(W.S. act I scene III); then they tell him that he will never be king but that his children will sit upon the throne. After they say these things they simply disappear. This doesn't show much free choice. When true meanings are hidden in lies and you become confused and no longer do you understand simple truths you have been manipulated.

In Paradise Lost manipulations were conceded in a similar fashion. A snake told Eve of a great fruit. He told her he was now as a man is and she would be as a god. The tyrannical serpent woes her with his blasphemous flattery. She reasons that God claimed that eating from this tree meant death, but the serpent ate (or so he claims) and not only does he still live, but can speak and think. He essentially is lying to poor foolish Eve. Being naive she trust the serpent. Eve had never experienced a lie before, so she was influenced by the snake.

All living things fear death. Macbeth had Banquo murdered and an attempted murder on Banquo's son. Macbeth killed from fear of the witches' prophecy coming true. He never really wanted to kill his best friend and he suffered mentally for it. Macbeth didn't want to kill King Duncan. "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly. If the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch, with his surcease, success; that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all--here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, -- we'd jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which being taught, return To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice To our own lips. He's here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed: then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself." ( William Shakespeare act I scene VII) He was talked into it by his wife. She is the one who truly wanted the kingdom for her self. Eventually Macbeth has little regret for doing what he did, but at this time he is still remorseful.

Satan convinces Eve she will not die from the fruit "Those rigid threats of death: ye shall not die: How should you? By the fruit? It gives you life to knowledge; by the threatener?