Macbeth's Obsession with Power"I will fight until my flesh is torn from my bones." (Act 5, scene 3). Strong phrases like the quote from Macbeth are not in common language, in fact they are used except in moments of intense emotion. Although the diction of Macbeth's words dates back to the Elizabethan era, the message rings true and clear. Macbeth will clearly resist anything that gets in the way of his passion. Critics often debate which tragic flaw in Macbeth led to his downfall. Was it Lady Macbeth's ambition or influence? Hardly. It was an obsession with power that Macbeth desired so badly that it led to his compulsive fixation and concern with obtaining his desire by any means necessary. Therefore, he inevitably lost touch with reality and became irrational, unreasonable and short-sighted, as is clearly demonstrated by his decisions. Macbeth had a downfall because of what he did and what he desired, and he had no one to blame but himself. Macbeth is first introduced as a war hero, slayer of Norsemen. He is then introduced to the prophecy by three witches. They prophesy how he will become first Thane of Cawdor and then king. "Hail to you, Macbeth! Hail to you, lord of Cawdor!...Macbeth, who shall henceforth be king." (Act 1 scene 3). Macbeth becomes thane and begins to believe in the witches' prophecies. What initially was curiosity and doubt soon became destiny and truth, as the Bible is for Christians. Macbeth began to believe the next prophecy. Indeed, not only would he become king, but he had taken on the personal obligation and responsibility to ensure that he became one. With some annoyance (that's the best term to use) on Lady Macbeth's part, Macbeth chooses to carry out his de...... middle of paper ......ted and Consulted: Chute, Lily B. "Macbeth: A Study in Power." Readings on Macbeth. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. 126-35.Foakes, Francis. "A New Perspective on Macbeth." Readings on Macbeth. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. 58-64. Gill, Rome, ed. Macbeth. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977. Kinney, Arthur F. ed. William Shakespeare: the tragedies. Boston: Hall and Company, 1985. Leong, Virginia. Connections between Hamlet and Shakespeare. April 14, 2000. Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Macbeth. Elements of literature. Sixth ed. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1997.Wills, Gary. "The Historical Context of Macbeth." Readings on Macbeth. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. 30-37.