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Success in life is often derived from careful prioritization. Shakespeare’s
play Macbeth, is a play about one man’s long time ambition, which drove his
desire to be king and his fall from grace. Three characters from the play suffer
from misplaced priorities are Duncan, Macduff and Banquo. King Duncan did not
have his priorities in order, and, as a result, death was his ultimate price.
Firstly, Duncan was too ambitious for his own children to become Kings. Instead
of concentrating on his country and who would make a good King, Duncan placed
his dream on his children becoming Kings. Secondly, Duncan should have named
Macbeth Prince of Cumberland. When Macbeth learns that Malcolm is to be the next
King, he says: The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step, on which I must fall
down, or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires! Let not
light see my black and deep desires: the eye wink at the hand; yet let that be,
which the eye fears, when it is done to see. (I, iv, 47-52) Malcolm was a poor
excuse for a soldier and should not become King. Duncan’s naming his son Malcolm
as Prince of Cumberland signed his own death warrant. If Prince, Malcolm would
weaken he strength of his country. Malcolm is a poor excuse for a soldier,
although it is customary for a King to pass his crown down to his son, Malcolm
was not suited to be a King.
Consequently, death was Duncan’s ultimate price
because of his misplaced priorities. Macduff was another individual who didn’t
have his priorities set straight and who suffered for his crime. Firstly,
Macduff did not attend Macbeth’s coronation. Will you to Scone? No cousin, I’ll
to fife. (III, I, 35-36) Macduff did not attend Macbeth’s coronation, he went to
fife to revolt against Macbeth. Macbeth later discovered what Macduff had in
mind, so he sent his henchmen to murder Macduff’s family. Secondly, Macduff put
his love of his country ahead of his own family. After Macduff arrived in
England he received word that Macbeth’s murderers had slaughtered his family: I
cannot but remember such things were, that were most precious to me. Did heaven
look on, and would not take their part? Sinful Macduff, they were all struck for
thee! naught that I am, not for their own demerits, but for mine, fell slaughter
on their souls: heaven rest them now. Macduff sank very low, because by putting
his love of his country ahead of his family, he was not at home to protect his
family. Clearly, Macduff suffered greatly of his loss of his family, because of
his misplace priorities his love of his country was too great. Banquo was
another character in Macbeth who suffered because of misplaced priorities.
Firstly the three witches had told Banquo that his sons would be future Kings of
Scotland.
Thou shalt get Kings, though thou be none. (I, iii, 68) Banquo
contributed to his own death by keeping the future destiny told by the three
witches, of his sons becoming Kings a secret. If Banquo would have Duncan that
his sons would be Kings, Duncan wouldn’t have been murdered, Macbeth would not
be King, and Banquo’s life would be spared. Secondly if Banquo had told the
other thanes of Scotland about his suspicions of Macbeth, he might have lived.
However, he says: Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, glamis, all, as the weird
women promis’dst most foully for’t: yet it was said it should not stand in thy
posterity, but that myself should be the root and father of many Kings. If there
come truth from them, as upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine, why by
verities on the made good, may they not be my oracles as well and set me up in
hope? But hush, no more. (III, i, 1-10) Banquo didn’t inform the other thanes of
his suspicions of Macbeth, if he had, his life could have been spared and
perhaps Macbeth’s blood baths could have been averted. Banquo contributed to his
own death by having misplaced priorities. Had he prioritized he might have lived
to see his sons become Kings one day. Three characters from Macbeth, a play of
one man’s long time ambition that drove his desire to be king who suffer because
of misplaced priorities are Duncan, Macduff and Banquo. Clearly Duncan, Macduff
and Banquo are men in this play that have misplaced priorities. If they had
prioritized there might have been fewer unfortunate deaths or grievances.
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