Greed is like an ocean - it can pull you under and make you drown. Poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, in his play Macbeth portrays how ambition can lead individuals to their downfall due to their selfish actions. Macbeth, the main protagonist, lets his ambition get the best of him, causing him to commit several heinous deeds such as murder. Through Macbeth’s egocentric actions, the audience realizes how internal desires such as pride, ambition, and greed can lead to complete impairment when ambition goes unchecked. Macbeth’s journey to his self destruction may have been commenced by his inner ambitions, but it was ignited by his pride.…
At first, Macbeth was very hesitant and scared to kill Duncan because he thinks that there will be consequences awaiting him in the next world. “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well/It were done quickly. “If the assassination/Could trammel up the consequence, and catch/With his surcease/success; that but this blow/Might be the be-all and the end-all here, /But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, /We’d jump the life to come” (1.7.2-7). More specifically, Macbeth says that if he could achieve his goals merely by killing Duncan, without any consequences here on Earth, he would risk the dire consequences that could await him after death. Furthermore, Duncan was his friend who had high respects for him as a soldier. After Macbeth killed Duncan, his lust for power grew more and more with each passing…
Shakespeare’s illustrious tragedy, “Macbeth” has elucidated the imperative role of ambition in the transformation in the transformation of a pious and virtuous general into a paranoid, malicious murderer. Although ambition have its merits, it can also easily be besmirched into greed and envy which can lead even the most honourable men into the realms of damnation. Moreover, this idea was exemplified by Macbeth himself, as his “vaulting ambition” (I.vii.27) led him to “summon [Duncan] to heaven” (II.i.72). On that account, Macbeth’s own deeds illustrate the morphing of Macbeth’s ambition into the vile greed which will eventually plunge him into the realms of insanity, as Macbeth is betraying his own relative who has also ironically honoured…
In today’s society, different themes such as ambition, good vs. evil, and believing in superstitions are still prevalent. Similar to Macbeth, many people will go great lengths in order to achieve their goals in life. Some are consumed with ambition to the point where it doesn’t matter what the consequences are for their actions as long as they are satisfied. An example of this is seen when our economy fell into a deep recession as a result of ambitious business people. Good vs. evil is oftentimes viewed in today’s society through our justice system. It is this constant battle between the police and criminals that keep our society at balance. Superstitions play a big part in some cultures and are still prevalent in today’s society. Just like Macbeth, people follow these superstitions that are put into their mind. They believe that there will be a bad outcome so, they follow these superstitions to keep out of danger or bad fortune.…
Within Macbeth, there are numerous representations of human values and conflicts, including duty vs. desire, the effects of a guilty conscience on the human journey and the differences between genders, and the superiority of men within the play, and the modern era. The value foregrounded throughout this text is the representations of ambition within the play Macbeth, and we will be focusing on the protagonist of the story, ironically named Macbeth.…
Ambition, along with the influence of his wife, Lady Macbeth, causes Macbeth to deceive his peers in order to attain position as king. The first time the reader sees Macbeth’s ambition causing him to be deceitful, is when him and his wife invite the current King of Scotland into their home for a dinner, with the soul intent of killing him. After receiving news of Macbeth’s new honor, she holds greater ambitions for Macbeth and pushes him to the edge to achieve the personal goals that she has set for him. To achieve the main goal of becoming king, Macbeth must deceive Duncan in way that will allow him to take over the throne. He must do this by taking action when "The bell invites [him]. Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell. That summons thee to heaven or to hell." (Act II, scene i) This visibly demonstrates how Macbeth deceived his friend into trusting him, when clearly his wife and he had different intentions all along. This proves how an individual’s ambition has the capability to consume ones personal morals and values for the worse.…
One theme depicted in “Macbeth” is ambition. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth develop their ambition after hearing the witches’ prophecies. The witches say Macbeth will rise in power and become King. The witches’ prophecies become true when Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become determined to obtain power. They allow their ambition to overcome them. Lady Macbeth comes up with a plan to kill Duncan. Macbeth becomes hesitant as he feels the murder will lead to his destruction. Although he is hesitant and doubtful his ambition forces him to commit the murder. When Macbeth becomes king he allows his ambition to murder others. He is willing to kill anyone who will threaten his position. The witches’ prophecy said Banquo’s descendants…
Shakespeare’s tragedy has been able to relate to today’s audience, as it explores the issue ambition, and how Macbeth takes ambition to the next level as he creates chaos just to achieve what he desires, power. Following the announcement of Macbeth becoming thane; his ambition jumps in when he realises the prophecy of becoming king may indeed become true. Thus, has cruel thoughts of killing the king to gain the crown. ‘If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,’- A1 S3. Today’s society use ambition, but it needs to be controlled.…
It’s unusual – his ambition is a fascinating blend of desire and deep awareness of the full extent of his crime. This results in vacillation. His terrible intent is horrific, it even horrifies Macbeth himself. As the idea grows, so does his fear. The moral ambivalence that causes him to consider the murder also acts as a restraint. His moral weakness caused him to consider murdering Duncan, This weakness also sees him attempting to back out.…
Through the use of characterization, setting, and plot development, the theme of ambition is obvious seen throughout the play Macbeth. The mail theme of Macbeth the destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints find its most powerful expression the play’s to main characters.…
In many of Shakespeare’s plays there exists relationships between characters; these relationships in many cases influence the direction in which the play goes. For example, in the “The Merchant Of Venice” the elopement of Lorenzo and Jessica is what triggers Shylock’s rage and blind desire for revenge, which sets the stage and the necessary atmosphere that is required for the climax in the court scene. Likewise in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” the everlasting relationship between Macbeth and the three witches is the foundation of the entire plot. When Macbeth meets the witches he views them as honest and believes on them quickly. The witches having established contact with the protagonist, indirectly affect and transform his beloved wife. Towards his demise Macbeth finally realises how the witches have heinously betrayed him.…
Ambition is often the driving force in one’s life. In the play William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, one of the most important themes is the significance of Ambition. According to the Webster dictionary, ambition is a strong desire to do or to achieve typically requiring determination and hard work. The power of ambition gives undying strength to do your utmost over and over again. Malcomn, Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth serves primary example as a victim of ambition. Ambition is the reason that makes them kill for their own desire and greed. The cause of the tragedy of Macbeth is ambition because in the play, Ambition is represented as vengeance, competence and violence.…
At the beginning of the play, during Act 1, Macbeth is a kind and honorable man, who truthfully did not have the adequate ambitions to become king. As a character, Macbeth is very noble and has the status of the Thane of Glamis, to which originally, he is satisfied with this title alone, until he has the encounter with three witches, and learns of a prophecy where he becomes king. Once told of this, the theme that pride, greed, and ambition can overpower morality and human nature emerges, and this is perfectly exemplified in the actions, changes in moral standpoint, and character of Macbeth overall thus far; from Act 1 to Act 3. When the witches inform Macbeth and Banquo of the prophecy whereas Macbeth will become king, it does not seem to…
An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power is the definition of ambition. In Macbeth ambition was a main theme. Ambition is often the driving force in one's life. It is supposed to be the motivating factor that drives one towards success. Macbeth had ambition even though it leaded him to ruin and death. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, pursues her goals with greater determination, yet she is less capable of withstanding the outcome of her actions. They used violence for power and their ambition was used in a bad way. In modern day today ambition can be used in both a good way and a bad way. People that are ambitious to succeed in a good way can be good but there are times when ambition takes over you and it makes you wanting more and at times it can lead to death or destruction.…
The theme of reckless and “blind” ambition is a very profound and constant one found throughout literature, and especially in the works of Shakespeare. From Jay Gatsby's ambitious facade to impress Daisy, to Abigail Williams in her quest for John Proctor, ambition is a natural human facet that drives people to do unscrupulous and heinous acts. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth's ambition is stemmed from multiple sources, a major source being his natural want for power and success. Unhae Langis compares Macbeth's ambition to that of Greek tragic heroes, stating Macbeth possesses a “hamartia of ambition,” this being accurate as Shakespeare infused Greek aspects into his writings. Langis later goes on to explain how Macbeth's ambition stemmed from his simple greediness of wanting worldly power, to obtain his ultimate goal of success.…