OPPapers.com

Macbeth: How Money Killed

Macbeth: How Money Killed

Jerry Engstrom

Many of our friends at Wall Street have serious heart problems; some of
them even die years before they should because of the stress that is brought on
by the money and greed of Wall Street. Money is also evident as a health risk
in Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice, both written by William Shakespeare. On
Wall Street people are driven by the greed of the people they represent, their
own greed, and a general atmosphere of greed. In Macbeth, Macbeth is driven by
personal ambition and his wife to become king at any expense, including slaying
some of his personal friends and their families. Also, in The Merchant of
Venice, Shylock the Jew is driven by a hatred for Christians and personal greed.
In both plays the character with the greed driven personality end up on the
short end of the stick.
Macbeth's and Shylock's drive of greed is revealed after just the first
few scenes. Macbeth's drive of greed is evident after his encounter with the
three witches; after which he tells Banquo that he is eager to learn more about
his future as king. Shylock's greed is revealed when we learn that unlike
Bassanio, Shylock charges interest on all his loans, and that he is quite
ruthless in getting payments for money owed. "Three thousand ducats. 'Tis a
good round sum./ Tree months from twelve, then let me see, the /rate--"
(1.3.112-114). Upon this Bassanio asks Shylock if he will really owe him any
interest; Shylock reacts as almost offended, and further explains that Bassanio
will indeed owe him interest. For both Macbeth and Shylock, this is the
beginning of the end.
Macbeth's greed starts to become a problem when people start figuring
out the truth behind Duncan's death. Macbeth realizes that he is well beyond to
point of no return and that the only thing left to do is to keep eliminating
people whom may potentially stand in his way, or hurt his political figure such
as when Macbeth sends orders to have Macduff's family...