Ambition For Power In Macbeth

Is it not weird how ambition for power corrupts one corrupt and leads them to their destiny? Ambition for power is lust which tempts one to be corruptive to acquire and protect it. However, in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, it is evident that ambition for power ultimately leads to corruption when Macbeth’s ambition for power causes the assassination of King Duncan, when Macbeth’s ambition for power compels him to execute those who obstruct his inheritance to the Scottish Throne, and finally, when Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to assassinate the people who impede his Kingship of Scotland out of lust for power. Macbeth’s ambition for power is the root cause to King Duncan’s assassination. Firstly, the three witches arouse the ambition

Macbeth feels his destiny is to murder King Duncan and become the King of Scotland, which is why Macbeth promises Lady Macbeth achieve his destiny. Therefore, Macbeth’s ambition for power leads to the death of King Duncan. Moreover, Macbeth’s ambition for power triggers the massacre the ones who impede him from his pathway to the Scottish Throne. First, Macbeth has murderers kill Banquo to avoid obstructions in his plan to become the King of Scotland. Macbeth tells the three murderers hired: “…And though I could / With barefaced power sweep him from my sight / And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, / For certain friends that are both his and mine, / Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall / Who I myself struck down…always thought / That I require a clearness…” (III. i. 121-126, 137-138). Macbeth tells the murderers that since him and Banquo have the same friends Macbeth cannot use his powers to execute Banquo, because people will overthrow Macbeth if they find out Macbeth to be the

For Macbeth’s desire to know more about his future, the Second Apparition says: “Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth… Then Macbeth responds, “Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? / But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, / And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live…” (IV. i. 81-83, 85-87). Despite of the second apparition telling Macbeth that no one born from a Woman can defeat him, Macbeth still is not completely certain and satisfied with its assurance. This is why, Macbeth says that he does not need to fear Macduff, but still needs to murder him to satisfy himself about the fact that Macbeth is undefeatable. Macbeth is guaranteed to be undefeatable, but Macbeth wants to leave no doubt and chances for him being defeated by Macduff. Furthermore, when Macbeth promises Lady Macbeth to become the King of Scotland, Macbeth assures his developed corruptive mindset. Macbeth says, “I am settled, and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. / Away, and mock the time with fairest show. / False face must hide what the false heart doth know” (I. vii.