Examples Of Ambition In Macbeth

A person may choose to perform a crime that is selfless and only benefits them, and harms others. An action that is deceiving may be performed if a person has burning ambition to accomplish something, however this can lead to a negative result. In the Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth himself is a perfect example of a person who performs actions that deceives others in order to benefit himself. Macbeth was a brave warrior, however he developed an ambitious mindset that was craving more and more power. Macbeth decides that in order to gain more power, he needs to perform actions that may be corrupted in order to improve his personal safety. He is seen as the protagonist, but later in the novel arguably becomes the antagonist. Through burning ambition

For example, in order for Macbeth to gain power, he must kill Duncan, the current king of Scotland, and take the throne: “I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself / And falls on th’ other–” (1.7.25-28). Macbeth is a perfect example of a person in society who is selfless and only cares for themself. Ambition is a very powerful thing, that it may even deceive the person with it, as it is thought anything is possible with ambition. Macbeth in this case, uses his ambition to the wrong extent which eventually leads to his downfall. For instance, Macbeth has started to realize how dangerous his ambitious thoughts can be: “I have supped full with horrors. / Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts / Cannot once start me” (5.5.15-17). Macbeth has also developed a tendency of being very impulsive to the point where he can not control his ambitious thoughts. A person with this internal conflict can be very dangerous to the point where good people die. This is evident throughout the novel as Macbeth continues his evil legacy of his lust for power. Ultimately, Macbeth is extremely ambitious to the point where he does not care if it harms others, but only benefits

For example, Macbeth has just recently begun his journey for power by killing King Duncan but soon regrets it: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incardinate, / Making the green one red” (2.2.78-81). Macbeth’s impulsive ambition has caused much harm throughout his life, that even himself has developed a feeling of regret. Many people throughout society have this same conflict to the point where they will deceive others in order to commit a crime for their own benefit, however it only comes back and gives them guilt. For instance, Macbeth is planning to kill the father of the heir to the throne, Banquo and his son Fleance, showing that he does not care for their personal lives: “It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood” (3.4.151). Macbeth wants to see blood on his blade, showing his true hunger for power. Macbeth will do anything to achieve his goals even if it is filled with extreme amounts of blood and guilt. Bloody ambition reveals his careless crimes and his willingness to do whatever it takes. Ultimately, Macbeth deceives many others and achieves his goals through blood and