Macbeth's Ruined Ambition Research Paper

Emmanuel Dolo

English 4

Mrs. Quintus

21st February 2024

Macbeth’s Ruined Ambition

In a world of grotesque violence and ambition, it can be easy to lose oneself in the vast possibilities. In the Shakespearean tragedy ‘Macbeth’, the reader watches an honorable man corrupt his reputation with his greed for power. Macbeth, Thane of Thisle, and a once honorable man, is split between his purity and his ambition once he is met with a tantalizing scenario. After fought another ferocious battle for his Scottish kingdom, he’s met by a trio of demonic witches who call themselves ‘The Weird Sisters’. These spell casters quickly begin to decay their minds into a haze. The witches, primed in divination, released two prophecies of the power, riches,

Macbeth was a simple man, ferocious in battle and humble in the presence of authority, he was continuously praised for his impeccable strength; and many stood in great awe at his demeanor in battle. The captain of his battle battalion testified of his strength on the battlefield, “...But all too weak; for brave Macbeth( well he deserves that name), disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valor’s minion, carved out his passage”( 1.2.15-19). Macbeth’s behavior shows that he operates within an intense caliber of strength and bravery, yet what more specifically sets men like Macbeth apart from those like Macdonwald (the traitorous Thane of Cawdor at the time) was Macbeth’s ability to restrain and defeat evil. Macbeth’s judgment has earned him a new sense of honor back in the palace. The King of Scotland, Duncan, had taken a liking to Macbeth and his honorable characteristics, and had him replace Macdonald. “No more than Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth.” (1.2.66-68). Duncan rewarding Macbeth with Macdonwald’s title could signify Macbeth’s natural will to do what is right, paying off. The reader sees Macbeth fall into a surge of confusion and curiosity in scene three of act one, Macbeth reveals the sudden desires that he could not

Macbeth had been considering killing King Duncan for the throne; Macbeth’s spouse, known as Lady Macbeth, is informed of the witch’s prophecy and begins to formulate a plan of her own. We see this in Act One, Scene Five, when she mutilates herself for the sake of fulfilling evil. “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unisex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty.”(1.5.39-45). Some would argue that Lady Macbeth’s manipulation gets the best of Macbeth. The reader sees this in act one, scene seven when Lady Macbeth disrespects Macbeth for his reluctance to carry out their plan. Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?.Art thou afraid to be the same in thine own act and valor as thou art in desire?”(1.7.36-41). Macbeth, as a grown man, lost sight of his own integrity. Whilst Lady Macbeth did persuade him to follow their murderous plan, he was the one that decided to commit murder. Without delay, Macbeth’s character changes once he kills King Duncan, and the reader witnesses a theme of deception being spread by him and his wife. The Macbeth family’s insatiable desire for power began to influence their own sense of self-respect and honor. The plots and schemes of the two led to the death of king Duncan and the birth of a new era. Each party’s greed for power has caused their characteristics to become