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Examples Of Ambition In Macbeth

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William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: A Carnal Ambition

Shakespeare's play Macbeth, illustrates a story of violence, action, and ambition. This play follows the main character, Macbeth, who holds excellent determination and fascinating destinies. Overtime Macbeth fails to see the counter responses of his actions. The root of Macbeth’s obliviousness is his self serving deeds.
Macbeth's lust for power makes him blind to the mental agony he brings upon himself in following his desire. In order to have the throne for himself Macbeth understands -through the help of his wife- that he must kill Duncan. Before he does so, he speaks to himself and gathers that “If the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch with his surcease success; that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d jump the life to come,” (1.2.2 -7). Since Macbeth mentions that he would risk life in hell …show more content…

Which results in his inability to recognize the horrific death of his morality. When Macbeth weights the choice between giving up the throne to Banquo’s sons or murdering them, he decides with an assurity that his previous murder could not of been in vain. He discusses the decision to himself and concludes with certainty that “Given to the common enemy of man, to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come fate into the list, and champion me to th' utterance,” (3.1.72-75). Though Macbeth shows he is mindful of Banquo and his family, he does not want to give the throne he obtained. In fact, he is assured he does not want to give up the throne to the point that he hires murderers to kill Banquo and his sons. As well as, in his mind, creating the illusion that the murders were not committed by his hands, but by the hands of others. His false responsibility is the cause of the terror he feels, when he sees Banquo's

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The rise in paranoia and insomnia leads to further problems. Macbeth feels the irrational need to cover up his tracks, and the only witness he cold suspect is Banquo. His impression of Banquo is that he has the qualities of a king, which make Macbeth anxious and jealous, “Our fears in Banquo/ Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature/ Reigns that which would be fear’d" (3.1.53-55). In fear of his own sovereignty, Macbeth quickly becomes apprehensive of Banquo’s prophecy of him being the father to forthcoming kings, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (1.3.70). Furthermore, it convinces him into believing that Banquo is a threatening enemy, and he can only be safe if Banquo is killed.

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Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature” (Act 3. Scene1. Lines 47-49. Page44). To Macbeth, becoming king is worthless unless his position as king is safe. He fears that Banquo’s murder will be revenged by his own murder, and it may reveal the hidden knowledge of his guilt.

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He is seen paranoid and anxious about the results of his deed and his wife “talks” to him about it. Macbeth is clearly aware of what he has done, this is clear when he says: “I’ll go no more:/I am afraid to think what I have done;/Look on ’t again I dare not. ”(II.2 51-53) He is so shaken by what he has let himself do, for the crown of Duncan. He also brings up the pain that he knows he will suffer in return for murdering an unworthy man of death.

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Macbeth is also concerned that Banquo knows he cheated his way to royalty, and is plotting against him. Macbeth sees Banquo as a threat, rather than his best friend. Banquo is one of the only people who can take the crown from him, he believes "To be

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1300 Words | 6 Pages

It leads Macbeth to an extent where he becomes doubtful of those around him, including those he views as allies. Banquo, who Macbeth views as his best man is who he becomes most fearful of. As, Banquo is present when the three witches state Macbeth’s prophecy and the role Banquo plays in it, becoming the father of kings. Macbeth suspicions were correct as Banquo begins to believe Macbeth was the only one with the motive to murder King Duncan. In order to save not only himself but his power, Macbeth makes the haste decision of sending two murders to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance who was able to escape the murder.

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Zadie Harpster Ms, Chesney Eng2DI December 17 Strong Ambition, Gone Wrong “No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks." Mary Wollstonecraft. In other words, although ambition is generally good, it

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Macbeth attempts to immorally control his own fate by ignoring his conscience to pursue his ambition. Before Macbeth murders King Duncan, he contemplates if he should commit the evil deed that will come with consequences. He stresses, Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague th ' inventor: this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself (1.7 9-17).

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1015 Words | 5 Pages

When the Witches' prophecy states Banquoes son will become king one day, Macbeth quickly acts and remarks, "I am settled, and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat" (3.1.92-93). Macbeth decides to have Banquo and his son Fleance killed, despite his initial reluctance to harm his friend. Macbeth's determination remains evident in his language as he declares his resolve to carry out the "terrible feat," and in his interactions with the murderers he hires. Clearly, Macbeth's determination to maintain his hold on power overrides his moral qualms and personal relationships. Macbeth's actions as a King seem to only promote and help himself which becomes known when he states, "I'll make assurance double sure, / And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; / That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, / And sleep in spite of thunder" (3.4.90-93).

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Being that Banquo seemed suspicious of Macbeth subsequently the night of the king 's death. Apprehensive of his throne Macbeth would do anything in his power to prevent even the slightest chance for anyone to take the throne from him.

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Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up thine own lives’ means. Then ‘tis most like the sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth,” to which Macduff responds, “He is already named and gone to Scone to be invested” (2.4.39-44). Macbeth’s deceit of the thanes leads him to become king of Scotland, proving to him for the first time that his plan of murder and lies works perfectly. Macbeth’s success in his endeavors proves that his way to power is requires the suffering and pain of others, and that any means are justified if it results in getting him where he wants to be. Macbeth worries that Banquo’s children may have a chance to become king, as per the witches prophecies.

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Macbeth is also a power hungry man who would do just about anything to achieve his goal of becoming King. When Macbeth first hears the prophecies from the three witches he instantly became invested with the journey to become king. Similar to Lady Macbeth, nothing was going to come between him and his potential power, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man. That function is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is but what is not” (1.3.52-55). This quote exemplifies how Macbeth’s initial solution to becoming king was murder.

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The road to a fatal outcome can be observed through many different qualities but excessive ambition is one of the main downfalls for most of us in society. Evil motivation due to uncontrollable and unnecessarily high ambition produces difficult obstacles in our lives. We could also become blind to making the right and moral decisions when our ambition is unrestrained. Additionally, all of the paths and routes for immoderate ambition leads to destruction and disorder. Another important note to keep in mind is that chaos and complications will be rooted from not only extravagant ambition but also poor decision making.

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He states the fears of Banquo are deep. Macbeth knew the witches predicted Banquo would be the next father of kings. He cannot be father of kings if he is murdered. Macbeth does not kill Banquo himself because he does not want to make anybody angry. I think the whole play is deranged.

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He first orders for Banquo and his son, Fleance, to be killed because the witches had also predicted that Banquo’s son will become king. Macbeth says in regards to Banquo, “There is none but he whose being I do fear... Given to the common enemy of man, to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings (Act 3, Scene 1)!” Banquo is

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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

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