For the Power Hungry and Paranoid...

Macbeth is a power hungry character on a quest to secure the throne for himself. To effectively do this he must stop those that stand in his way, even those that he is closest with. What does he use as his inspiration? A recent study looked at his Netflix queue to see what he was watching during the time he committed the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff's family. Researches found these titles among the bunch, Breaking Bad, Paranoia, Olympus Has Fallen, and Double Indemnity. 

Breaking Bad 

Breaking Bad revolves around an old teacher, Walter White, and his former student, Jesse Pinkman, in their quest of drugs and crime. After White is diagnosed with cancer he sets out to begin producing and selling meth. Soon he and Jesse become lost in the world of drugs and become addicted to the notion of selling meth, loosing their morals and values along the way. Oddly enough Macbeth loses himself in the world of crime as well. Macbeth recommended this TV show to all of his friends due to the compelling story line and his relation to the plot. He discovered he resembled Walter White and began to embody Walter's motives. Like Walter, Macbeth heard a prophecy that turned his life around. Macbeth's was acquisition of the throne while Walter's was stage three cancer. Both were motivated to pursue crime due to their life altering news. Macbeth pursued murder to achieve the throne while Walter pursued meth production. As both went deeper down the road of crime they both began to become crazed as their morals slowly slipped away. Macbeth found consolation in this TV show and justified his actions of murder by referring to Walter and Jesse. 

Paranoia

Who doesn't love a film starring Liam Hemsworth?? This was a film that Macbeth really connected to after he murdered King Duncan. Paranoia centers around a man, Adam Cassidy, who becomes big time in the corporate world so he can spy on the action of a rivalry company. As Adam dives deeper into the process of secretly acquiring information he begins to realize he is being watched, constantly. His home, his father's home, and his cell phone were bugged, wired, and televised through all hours of the day and night. This led Adam to living in a constant state of Paranoia, worried that someone was watching his every move. At one point he lashes out and tries to destroy parts of his home to remove the annoying video cameras that followed his every move. After his murder of Duncan Macbeth finds himself in a similar state of Paranoia and, therefore, connects with the character Adam in this film. Macbeth becomes worried that people were suspicious that he was guilty of the murder of Duncan. In return Macbeth becomes paranoid and begins to act out. To try to cover up his murder he lashes out and kills the two chambermaids. He justifies this by saying he was angry that they killed his dear friend Duncan. He knows too much to walk away from the situation, just like Adam in Paranoia, and, therefore, must stick around and pretend to be normal. Acting as if a camera is following him around at all times. This film, found in Macbeth's netflix queue, indicates the paranoia that builds up inside of him due to the crimes he commits. 

Olympus Has Fallen

Before planning his multitude of murders, Macbeth studied film, Olympus Has Fallen, that is. He did not pay attention to the actions of Speaker Trumbull (played by Morgan Freeman...such a good name!!) but the actions of the terrorists instead. He noted their stealth and methods of killing. This film is about the White House, with President inside, being overrun by a terrorist group. Mike Banning works from the inside to try and save the President and nation from a big disaster. Macbeth did not identify with the actions of Mike Banning or other members of the national security team. He utilizes the tactics of the enemy to form his own plan in murdering Duncan (blood thirsty much??). Inspired by the blood, guts, gore, and multitude of deaths Macbeth became motivated to secure his own seat on the throne. Macbeth utilized a different weapon than the murderers in the film but still ultimately ended up achieving the same goal. He was an inside source, similar to the secret service agent in the White House that aided the enemy. By being close to Duncan it allowed him to easily attack him to achieve his goal. By watching this film it can be noted that Macbeth was extremely blood thirsty and utilized many sources to achieve a method of destruction. It was through this film Macbeth received much of his inspiration.

Double Indemnity

A little romance, secrecy, suspicion, and murder. What's not to love about Double Indemnity? This classic film focuses on the actions of the insurance agent Walter Neff (Macbeth must like Walters) as he gets wrapped up in a murder scheme with his lover Phyllis Dietrichson. Phyllis Dietrichson uses her romantic relationship to manipulate Walter Neff to follow her wishes in killing her current husband. He proceeds to act normal following the crime, despite his friend's suspicions. Macbeth watched this film and immediately felt a connection with the main character Walter Neff. He saw his relationship with Lady Macbeth as a reflection of Neff and Dietrichson's. Lady Macbeth influenced Macbeth to commit his first murder, like Phyllis's influence over Walter to carry out the murder of her husband. Female ambition courses through both the film and Macbeth. In addition, Banquo, Macbeth's best friend, began to become suspicious of him and Barton Keyes, Walter Neff's friend, became suspicious of him. He identifies with Walter's character and the troubles that Walter endures throughout the duration of the film. However, Macbeth never broke down to the point of revealing his actions, unlike Walter in Double Indemnity. By watching this film the viewer has a better understanding of the manipulative relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how easy it is to get caught up in the wrong situation due to love.