Ambition In Macbeth Essay

The corrupting influence of ambition when left unchecked can contribute to the downfall of one's true self - drastically hurting their sanity and lowering their morals. William Shakespeare represents this theme of ambition as a crown in his tragedy play Macbeth. Throughout the play - the ruler, Macbeth, has to confront the repercussions of the ambitions that blinded him. From this Macbeth loses his morals, and his footing, on his sanity leading to his demise. To a degree Macbeth played a significant role in his own downfall, his ambition blinded him and caused him to commit acts of betrayal and murder Thanes and kings. Nevertheless his downfall was not without external influence: Lady Macbeth encouraged her husband to murder Duncan and threatened

Upon hearing the witches' prophecy of his kingship, Macbeth's fixation on wearing the crown takes hold of his thoughts and desires. The impact of the crown troubles Macbeth, clouding his judgement and driving him to commit atrocious acts. In his soliloquies, Macbeth engages in an internal struggle between his conscience and his ambitions, but ultimately succumbs to the overwhelming temptation, revealing his dark desires by uttering. "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires" (Act 1, Scene 4). This device evokes a sense of dramatic intensity and highlights his desperation for secrecy. Additionally, the crown itself serves as a potent symbol of Macbeth's ambition, overshadowing his moral values and acting as a metaphor, blinding him to the consequences of his actions. The allure of the crown entices him to sacrifice anything and anyone, regardless of the moral implications, in his ruthless pursuit of power. Macbeth's surrender to this temptation propels him further into a downward spiral of moral degradation, marking a profound shift in his character as he becomes willing to forsake his integrity for the sake of wearing the