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Macbeth Essay

1263 Words6 Pages

Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/ Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/ The multitudinous seas incarnadine,/ Making the green one red” (Shakespeare II.ii.60-63). William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a powerful piece of literature that delves into the dangerous consequences of uncontrolled ambition. The play boldly portrays the consequences of pursuing one’s desires without ethical considerations or the thought of one’s actions. Through the tragic journey of its characters’ actions and motivations, as well as Shakespeare’s use of language and symbolism, Macbeth shows how one’s strong desire can lead to ruin and destruction. The play Macbeth is a tragic story that explores the corrupt nature of ambition. As the story unfolds, …show more content…

Here Macbeth refers to “thus” as being king; in other words, he means that being king means nothing if he’s not safe. Killing Duncan has given him no peace or satisfaction, but rather a sense of fear and anxiety about the violent events he will have to commit to maintain his status as king. Macbeth’s ambition leads to his downfall, as he is consumed by guilt and paranoia, leading him to his tragic end. Lady Macbeth is a powerful character throughout the play, and her influence over Macbeth’s ambition is undeniable. In the play, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as a conniving and manipulative character who stops at nothing to get what she wants, even if it means driving her husband to murder. Her verbal abuse and manipulation tactics are evident throughout the play as she constantly belittles and challenges Macbeth’s masculinity to get him to do her bidding. She is so successful, that Macbeth succumbs to her plan, channeling his anger and insecurities to killing innocent people who threaten his throne. Lady Macbeth’s infamous line says, “Look like the innocent flower,/ But be the serpent under ‘t” which further proves her nature and willingness to deceive others for her gain

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