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How Does Ambition Affect Macbeth's Character

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Cholko 1 Many people have hopes and goals that they would like to accomplish. They may desire powerful positions or jobs, while others may desire prosperity and riches. This is known as ambition, the spell binding force that leads people towards success. However, ambition may result in harmful acts to get their satisfaction. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Macbeth, the protagonist, Macbeth, is described as a very loyal and noble soldier. As the play progresses, Macbeth’s character dramatically changes because of several different factors. These factors influence Macbeth greatly and cause him to make numerous bad decisions. The influence of the witches’ prophecies, the influence of Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth’s blind ambitions …show more content…

Macbeth’s state of mind is now centered on possible ways to become king. Macbeth is willing to do anything to gain power. (This is the point) Macbeth begins to slowly transform into a conscienceless man. Being Duncan’s kinsmen, he’s duty is to protect his king from all kinds of danger but instead Macbeths desire for power increases and starts planning the murder of Duncan. Lady Macbeth is a very persuasive and controlling person. After receiving Macbeth’s letter, Lady Macbeth’s immediate response is “That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/ Under my battlements” (1.5.42-43). Being a loyal soldier, Macbeth becomes uncertain with the murder of Duncan is the wise thing to do. Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth’s desire is not strong enough and uses his reputation to cause Macbeth shame. Lady Macbeth accuses her husband saying “Art thou afeard/ To be the same in thine own act and valour… And live a coward in thine own esteem” (1.7.40-41, 46) at which Macbeth takes great insult. To prove to Lady Macbeth wrong, Macbeth finally agrees on the murder of Duncan. Macbeth wants to prove to Lady Macbeth that he has the courage to kill Duncan and he is very manly and will not stop until Duncan is dead. Once he kills Duncan Macbeth begins to change mentally and emotionally. Macbeth’s hallucinations are the product of fear and guilt. In Inverness, when Macbeth is left alone, he sees a dagger in the air leading him towards

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