Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln's interest in 'Macbeth' may be linked to the themes of power, morality, and leadership, reflecting his own presidential challenges during the Civil War. His speeches and policies, including the Emancipation Proclamation and his Cabinet selections, suggest that he sought a just resolution to the conflict without falling prey to the corrupting nature of power, much like the cautionary tale of Macbeth. His personal character and political beliefs were deeply influenced by a commitment to morality, unity, and the betterment of the nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The connections between Abraham Lincoln's speeches, his views on the Civil War, and his interest in Macbeth are reflective of deeper themes of power, morality, and leadership. In Macbeth, the titular character becomes engulfed by ambition and resorts to murder to achieve power, leading to a tyrannical rule and his own downfall. Lincoln, facing the moral and national crisis of the Civil War, had to navigate the tensions of preserving the Union and abolishing slavery without falling into the traps of tyranny or immorality.
Lincoln's inaugural addresses and his actions, such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the use of his Cabinet, suggest that he was influenced by the ideas of unity, moral leadership, and the consequences of division, themes also present in Macbeth. His Cabinet choices showed a commitment to balancing different political views, mirroring the idea of a wise ruler consulting various advisers rather than isolating himself as Macbeth did. The incessant Civil War battles and his dedication to reuniting the nation underline a resolve to achieve a just end without succumbing to the corrupting influence of power.
Lincoln's personal character appeared steadfast in the face of adversity, demonstrating an ability to empathize and appeal to the 'better angels of our nature' as highlighted in his first inaugural address. Politically, he upheld the importance of the Union and democracy, perhaps recognizing the destruction that fragmented power, as seen in Macbeth, could wreak. The play might have reinforced his belief in the necessity of moral integrity and caution in leadership decisions—a belief that was ultimately woven into his political actions and beliefs that guided the country through its darkest period.