Consequence Of Ambition In Macbeth

Everyone has ambition regardless of age or culture and it can lead to success or failure. The play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, presents the rise and downfall of tragic and renowned hero, Macbeth, as he listens to the prophecy of the Three Witches saying he will be king of Scotland and plots to murder King Duncan for the throne. Eventually, the nobles find out Macbeth’s evil deeds to rise to power and will retake the throne back to its rightful owner, Malcolm, King Duncan's son. The consequences of ambition impact both Macbeth and lady Macbeth are regrets for murdering, mind slowly deteriorates from guilt and death of many innocents including Macbeth and his wife One consequence of ambition that impact the characters
Macbeth’s mind slowly deteriorates from guilt after murdering King Duncan and his best friend, Banquo while Lady Macbeth’s mind is unable to hold the guilt for plotting to kill the King. While partying with the lords after the murdering Banquo, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost and screams “Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee./Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold;/ Thou hast no speculation in those eyes/ Which thou dost glare with.” (Act III, Scene 2). During the party, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo moving towards his seat thus prompting Macbeth to yell at the chair however only Macbeth can see the ghost of Banquo leading to some suspicions by the nobles and lords. The ghost of Banquo is manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt since he is the only person that can see that ghost which can be interpret as Macbeth’s mind is slowly deteriorates from the build up guilt inside his body and mind. This shows ambition can lead to guilt because in order to secure the throne for himself, Macbeth sent out men to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance however since Macbeth is a good person, his conscience makes him feel guilty about the murders. Another example of how ambition can lead to guilt is shown by Lady Macbeth. The concerned gentlewoman explains Lady Macbeth’s situation to the doctor saying “ Why, it stood by her. She has light by her continually/ ‘Tis her
Macbeth’s bloody rise to power ends with the death of many innocents including his wife and himself. While fighting with Macbeth, Macduff drags him off the stage and later enter with Macbeth’s head saying, “Hail, King! for so thou art. Behold where stands/ Th’ usurper’s cursed head. The time is free/ I see thee compassed with thy kingdom’s pearl,/ That speak my salutation in their minds,/ Whose voices I desire aloud with mine.” (Shakespeare Act 5, Scene 5). This shows blind ambition leads Macbeth into his death with him being slain as a tyrant since Macbeth ordered people to be killed in order to secure and take the throne for himself. His ambition results in many people killed starting with King Duncan, Banquo, Macduff’s entire household combined with his unstable mind will eventually lead to Macbeth’s downfall. “Th’ usurper cursed head” can show how ambition change the once noble Macbeth to “cursed” since he always think about the throne murdering countless people. He trades his humanity to ensure the throne and keep the prophecy alive and this can be seen when he orders murderers to attack Macduff’s household after hearing that Macduff goes to England. Macbeth sends murderers to kill Banquo since he is also there when the three witches present Macbeth’s prophecy and he knows that Banquo is suspicious about the foul play for the throne. Another example of death as a consequence of ambition is