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Analysis on macbeths character throughout the play
Ambition relating to shakespeares plays
Analysis on macbeths character throughout the play
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The Destructive Force of Human Ambition In Shakespearean time and within his plays, ambition was viewed as a downfall in character and a defiance to human nature. In today’s world, ambition is viewed as a respectable attribute in both males and females. Yet, In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the destructive force of ambition transcends time. Although centuries apart, Macbeth, a noble who wants to seize the position of King, and Tonya Harding, a figure skater who wants to win an Olympic gold, are two examples of ambition, its misuses and consequences.
Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and Oliver stones ‘wall street’ set in distinct time periods, explore the concept that one’s longings for ambition can become overpowering and eventually lead to one’s moralities being recognised. The texts both illustrate that greedy ambition will lead to one’s downfall, that ambition causes people of weak character to behave corruptly to attain their goals, and that ultimately ambition comes with a price. Firstly, in Macbeth ambition is portrayed as seductive yet ethically destructive, in the text both characters who are frail are charmed to pursuing their ambitions at the cost of their own humanity. In ‘Macbeth’ this is shown through the protagonist and how the ambition due to the influence of the witches takes over the like of Macbeth.
Macbeth provides a great example that too much ambition is not always a good thing. He does so when he killed King Duncan, Banquo and so many others in order to be King. Macbeth lets the idea of wanting to be king get to him so bad that he doesn’t think twice about committing such evil deeds, including Banquo and the Kings murder. The idea of becoming king first crossed Macbeths mind when three witches approached Macbeth and Banquo, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor.
Throughout the story Macbeth, by Shakespeare, many of the characters show their ambition. The two characters that were the most ambitious in the story was Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They both saw what they wanted, and went to get it no matter what they had to do. Even though Macbeth had ambitions, Lady Macbeth had the ideas and controlled Macbeth to get what she wanted. There has been many arguments about who has been more ambitious in the story, Macbeth or Lady Macbeth.
Ambition is defined as “a strong desire to do or to achieve something” (Dictionary.com). To accomplish anything, from a simple task to a daunting feat, one simply needs ambition. In William Shakespeare’s iconic play, Macbeth, the underrated danger of this initiative is introduced. Through Macbeth’s murderous rise to power, Shakespeare demonstrates the destructive force of humanity’s ambition, which remains a relevant notion today.
Ambition is defined as a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. It can cause someone to lose sight of what is morally right, and make rash decisions without thinking of the repercussions. However, what is ambition without determination to drive it forward? In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the character Lady Macbeth is filled with a passion for power, and will do whatever it takes to get it. In a society where women have little status, she is seen as fiendishly cruel, when actually she is just trying to get to the top of the social ladder with little help from others.
A man, goaded by his wife, murders time and again to satisfy his hunger for power, slowly driving himself into insanity through his ambition. Ambition, both a blessing and a curse, lead Macbeth to a series of betrayals and murders of and by those closest to him. Conspiring with his wife in Act 1, Lady Macbeth had convinced Macbeth that by killing Duncan, King of Scotland, he could become the next King. He and Lady Macbeth planned the whole thing; who they would frame, how they would get past the guards, which one of them should be the one to do it, and how would they hide the knives once the deed had been accomplished. At the last second, Macbeth appeared to have a change of heart, but then his wife taunted him, insulting his manhood.
In the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, a Scottish general is told a prophecy by three witches saying that one day he will be Scotland’s King. In this play, the events in Macbeth’s life occurred because of free will, mainly his and Lady Macbeth’s. The trio of witches did not tell Macbeth how he should become King, just that he could. So although the Witches told Macbeth he would become King, it was essentially his and Lady Macbeth’s own ambition and desire that impacted Macbeth.
In today’s society many people possess strong ambition when it comes to getting a job, following a passion and being immensely successful in life. Having an abundance of aspirations can have both successful and faulty outcomes depending on the situation and how individuals respond to the circumstance. For example, in the play **Macbeth written by Shakespeare, a prime example of an excessive amount of ambition is displayed through both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s actions. Essentially, Macbeth becomes power hungry and goes on a rampant killing spree that causes Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to be overcome with guilt. They both contain an excessive amount of desires due to their ultimate goal being for Macbeth to be crowned king.
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.
What drives apparently good men to become ruthless, ambitious, jealous and greedy? We see an example of this in the play “Macbeth” performed at Pop Up Globe, directed by Tom Mallaburn, was written originally by the well-known author, William Shakespeare. Macbeth is based upon a big tragedy, where the two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, inevitably were forced to do evil things due to their ambition; taste the sweetness of victory and then downfall again. Although the play was written by an English author, Shakespeare smartly sets his story based upon the idea of ambition, a concept that relates to all of us, no matter where we are from. We have to admit that in our minds, the concept of power and ambition is linked to men.
Macbeth characteristics of greed and ambition are examples of what is seen as good desire that can easily turn negative because of the person’s true intentions. Shakespeare applies the change and the contrast of Macbeth’s characteristic to amplifies his theme of how ambition is sane until harm becomes an outcome and a prize belongs to those who play their cards right; not to those steal them. Although ambition can be good, this play set an excellent example for young readers when ambition can turn into greed which will allow them to be cautious of how they thrive for their
Blind Ambition and Greed The play “Macbeth”, by William Shakespeare illustrates many themes through the characters from the beginning to the end of the story. But the main central theme introduced is Ambition and Greed. As the play goes on we read how Macbeth permits his Ambition and Greed to dictate the outcomes and tragedy’s that occur to himself and others.
Ambition is a natural part of human existence, every person has it at least a little. It is when ambition grows too large and takes control of us that it becomes dangerous. It becomes obsessive and soon nothing will stop the person obsessed. Just by looking around at our world today, one can clearly see the results of unchecked ambition. Unchecked ambition can be destructive to a society and cause the society's downfall.
The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, utilizes the ambition of the character Macbeth to enhance the tragic life him and his wife experienced. Macbeth is a highly respected Knight under King Duncan of Scotland. He is the Thane of Glamis and later on the Thane of Cawdor as predicted by the Weird Sisters. The Weird Sisters visit Macbeth in Act I Scene iii, after him and Banquo defeat the allied forces of Norway and Ireland. The visit consisted of telling Macbeth he will become the Thane of Cawdor and the king of Scotland.
