Macbeth Thesis Paragraph + Example Quotes

Although ambition is typically described as a positive quality that promotes the betterment of oneself and success in an individual’s life, an overabundance of ambition soon leads to the opposite effect. This lack of self-control over one's desires eventually leads that person losing their sense of morality and caution, which results in their demise. This is the case in Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, in which the titular character’s over-ambitious nature leads him to sacrifice his honour in order to pursue his goal of becoming the king. His greed transforms him from a morally upright noble into a despicably ruthless villain. This dramatic change in character is shown through his many soliloquies and asides that reveal his innermost thoughts of initial doubt, but by the end, his arrogant and foolish personality. Through the tale of this tragic character, Shakespeare suggests that ambition without self-control is a harmful quality that leads to the corruption and the downfall of a once righteous person.

Body Paragraph One Quotes
“Brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name.” (I,ii) - Wounded Captain
“seated heart knock at (his) ribs” (I.iii) - Macbeth
“Let not light see my black and deep desires.” - Macbeth
“Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.” (I.v) - LM
“vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other.” (I.vii) - Macbeth

Bady Paragraph Two Quotes
“A dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain?” (II.i) - Macbeth
“Put rancors in the vessel of my peace, only for them; and mine eternal jewel” (III.i) - Macbeth “Infected be the air whereon they ride,and damned all those that trust them! I did hear the galloping of horse.” (IV.i) - Macbeth
“His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool. This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool.” (IV.i) - Macbeth

Bady Paragraph Three Quotes
“My way of life is fall'n into the sere, the