Ambition
CRITICAL REFLECTION
Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally thought of to commit evil deeds, all he desires is power and advancement. In Macbeth, ambition is presented as a dangerous quality. It causes the downfall of both Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth and is the main reason for a series of deaths in the play. Ambition is therefore the driving force of the play. Macbeth is about the kind of destruction ambition can cause. Macbeth’s quest to acquire more power-his ambition-ultimately leads to his tragic death. Macbeth at first seems overly content to defend his king and country against treason and rebellion because he is the strong, warrior who has won in battle and brought victory to Scotland. His desire for power plays a major role in the way he commits the most monstrous acts with the help of his ambitious wife. Once Macbeth has power, he seems unable and unwilling to stop killing men, women, and children in order to protect his position on the throne. Selfishly, Macbeth puts his own desires before the good of his country. There are three main factors that contribute greatly to Macbeth’s ambition and then to his insanity, the prophecy’s told to him by the witches, Lady Macbeth influencing and enforcing Macbeth’s judgment, and Macbeth’s own ambition and greed to become king.
Prophesy: The witches’ prophesize that Macbeth will become king at the beginning of the play. Macbeth believes them and the various prophecies are realized throughout the play. It is unclear whether these prophesies are predetermined or self fulfilling.
Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife is the driving force that encourages Macbeth to overcome his strong sense of guilt from killing the King at the time, Duncan. It is his ambition that killed Duncan so he could obtain the throne. If it was not for her determined words, I do not believe Macbeth would of done what he had. His ambition soon becomes out of control and forces him to murder again, and again to cover-up his previous
Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally thought of to commit evil deeds, all he desires is power and advancement. In Macbeth, ambition is presented as a dangerous quality. It causes the downfall of both Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth and is the main reason for a series of deaths in the play. Ambition is therefore the driving force of the play. Macbeth is about the kind of destruction ambition can cause. Macbeth’s quest to acquire more power-his ambition-ultimately leads to his tragic death. Macbeth at first seems overly content to defend his king and country against treason and rebellion because he is the strong, warrior who has won in battle and brought victory to Scotland. His desire for power plays a major role in the way he commits the most monstrous acts with the help of his ambitious wife. Once Macbeth has power, he seems unable and unwilling to stop killing men, women, and children in order to protect his position on the throne. Selfishly, Macbeth puts his own desires before the good of his country. There are three main factors that contribute greatly to Macbeth’s ambition and then to his insanity, the prophecy’s told to him by the witches, Lady Macbeth influencing and enforcing Macbeth’s judgment, and Macbeth’s own ambition and greed to become king.
Prophesy: The witches’ prophesize that Macbeth will become king at the beginning of the play. Macbeth believes them and the various prophecies are realized throughout the play. It is unclear whether these prophesies are predetermined or self fulfilling.
Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife is the driving force that encourages Macbeth to overcome his strong sense of guilt from killing the King at the time, Duncan. It is his ambition that killed Duncan so he could obtain the throne. If it was not for her determined words, I do not believe Macbeth would of done what he had. His ambition soon becomes out of control and forces him to murder again, and again to cover-up his previous