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Macbeth Unchecked Ambition Essay

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The Danger of Unchecked Ambition in Macbeth Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare, demonstrates the fatal effects of naked ambition through the tragic story of Scottish general Macbeth. The play opens with an introduction to the Weird Sisters, a trio of witches who present a prophecy to Macbeth. It is revealed that he will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually be made King of Scotland, even though the country’s current King is alive and well. Macbeth writes to his power-hungry wife, Lady Macbeth, about his encounter and she responds with an elaborate plan for her husband to obtain his “rightful” title in any way possible. The ambition that drives Macbeth throughout the plot eventually leads to his own tragic demise. When left unchecked …show more content…

The start of this change is demonstrated in Act 1 when Lady Macbeth creates a devious plan to murder the current King during his stay at their castle. She convinces Macbeth to assist her, explaining that his death would leave the position open for Macbeth to fill. When left alone, Macbeth contemplates their scheme, stating “Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor…He's here in double trust; First, as I am his kinsman and his subject… I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other.” (1.7.482-500). Macbeth understands the gravity of his plan and admits that one murder will only end in more bloodshed. While acknowledging the King’s trust in him, Macbeth notes that by committing this crime, he will be betraying his role as a loyal nobleman however, the loss of his honor is not enough to keep his ambition tame. Here, we can see the beginning of the end as Macbeth wrestles with his thirst for power. At this point, he cherishes the King’s faith in him and deep down, knows that obtaining the title through violence is not morally correct. However, his ambition, which is personified as a wild animal, clearly cannot be controlled. Macbeth’s tragedy is profound and complex as he …show more content…

This can be seen in Act 3 when Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. After calling the men to a meeting, Macbeth convinces them to assist him in disposing of his companion stating, “Both of you Know Banquo was your enemy…So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life…thence it is, That I to your assistance do make love, Masking the business from the common eye…” (3.1.1132-1144). At this point, Macbeth has already obtained the title of King but, after hearing the witches’ new prophecy, it’s revealed that Banquo’s lineage poses a threat to Macbeth's control. Once again, Macbeth’s ambition causes him to blindly follow unreliable sources. Upon realizing his power is in jeopardy, Macbeth panics and takes matters into his own hands. Here, he is no longer under the influence or direction of Lady Macbeth and makes the conscious decision to destroy not only his political enemy but also his innocent son who presents no direct danger to Macbeth’s life. Ultimatley, Macbeth finds himself stuck in a repeating cycle of violence fueled by his ambition. Before, his morals and values would've led him to contemplate any plan involving murder, just as he did with the King. Now, his desire for the throne

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In the next scene, Macbeth and his wife execute their murder plot and temporarily escape any suspicion that they are the culprits. This murder showcases Macbeth’s greed as he was aware of the positive reputation that King Duncan had in Scotland, but murdered him anyway to eliminate anyone that stood in the way of the throne. Next, Macbeth sets out to murder his former best friend Banquo and his son Fleance as the prophecies revealed that Banquo’s sons would ascend to the throne. “So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life.” (Shakespeare 25)

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