Macbeth’s Unbridled Ambition: The Catalyst of His Tragic Downfall Introduction William Shakespeare's tragedy, "Macbeth," written during the Jacobean era, presents a compelling exploration of the destructive power of ambition. The Jacobean era was characterised by a strict social hierarchy – called the ‘Great Chain of Being’ – with the divine right of kings at its apex. Significantly, the titular character shows Macbeth’s unbridled ambition to become the king, propels his actions and decisions and catalyses an insatiable hunger for power that progresses him down a path of betrayal, culminating in the complete loss of his honour. Macbeth’s ambition evolves throughout the play, transforming him from a respected warrior into a tyrannical ruler and finally, a fallen hero. Ambition Driving Macbeth’s Actions and Decisions Shakespeare establishes Macbeth as “valour’s minion” – …show more content…
The Hollow Victory of Ambition and the Loss of Honour As Macbeth nears his downfall, he begins to realise the hollowness of his ambition-driven victories. In a moment of reflection, he states, “my way of life is fallen into the sea of the yellow leaf.as honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have.But in their stead, curses”. The metaphor of the fallen autumn leaf is utilised by Shakespeare to reveal Macbeth’s realisation that his ambition has cost him everything of true value, coercing him to sacrifice honour, love and friendship in pursuit of power, leaving him isolated and with no reason to live. In Jacobean society, where personal honour and reputation were of utmost importance, Macbeth’s loss of these would have been perceived as a fate worse than death. Thus, through Macbeth’s soliloquy, Shakespeare reflects the powerful indictment of unbridled ambition, revealing its corrosive effects on one’s character and social