ipl-logo

Theme Of Ambition And Greed In Macbeth

569 Words3 Pages

Blind Ambition and Greed The play “Macbeth”, by William Shakespeare illustrates many themes through the characters from the beginning to the end of the story. But the main central theme introduced is Ambition and Greed. As the play goes on we read how Macbeth permits his Ambition and Greed to dictate the outcomes and tragedy’s that occur to himself and others. The main examples of Ambition and Greed is seen through Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff. Ambition and Greed is first introduced in the beginning of “Macbeth” when Macbeth and Banquo are greeted with three witches. The three witches present them with three prophecies, two for Macbeth, and one for Banquo. “… All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, All hail Macbeth! Thou shalt be king hereafter” and to Banquo “… Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (Act 1, Scene 3). After Macbeth hears of his promotion to Thane of Cawdor, he quickly begins to believe the witches and prophecies …show more content…

Macduff went to England to find Malcolm, King Duncan’s son, who fled Scotland so he would not be killed like his father. Macbeth no longer considers Macduff loyal to him and becomes apprehensive. Macbeth consorts with the murderers again to kill Macduff’s family, “give to the edge o’ the sword his wife, babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” (Act 4, Scene 1). When a messenger comes to deliver the news to Macduff, he becomes sad but Malcolm tells him “… Let grief convert to anger…” (Act 4, Scene 3). Macduff and Malcolm go to war against Macbeth eager for revenge. Macduff, vengeful for his family’s death cuts off Macbeths head, and Malcom takes his rightful place as king. Macbeth’s Ambition and Greed resulted in his downfall. Constantly wanting more, Macbeth allowed his blind ambition to dictate what actions he took to obtain being king and staying king. Ambition and Greed is clearly outlined in the tragedy “Macbeth” from Duncan, Banquo, and

Show More
Related
1464 Words | 6 Pages

Macbeth’s greed takes over him as he chases a fool’s dream. Macbeth's ambition leads him to secure his power; he overlooks his guilt and focuses on doing whatever it takes to hold onto his authority. Shakespeare demonstrates, in a variety of techniques, how just ambition alone can bring down the even the greatest of men. “There is something wrong with a individual’s character if opportunity controls their loyalty.” Sean Simmon’s the writer of this quote explains how blinded someone can be when given certain opportunities which can be directly related to the character Macbeth.

Read More
1070 Words | 5 Pages

Many people in stories or the real world have had history of betraying others for many reasons. For example, in the story, Macbeth, one of the main characters, Macbeth, decides to betray people in the story all because of his selfishness. On the other hand, in the story, Lamb to the Slaughter, Mary Maloney betrays her husband because of how he treats her making her want revenge on her husband. In addition, in, Scarlet Ibis, Doodle’s brother betrays Doodle due to the fact that that Doodle does not reach his expectations as a brother he wants. Betrayal can be evidently seen in all of the stories in which Macbeth’s greed, Mary’s revenge, and Doodle’s brother’s selfishness led to many deplorable effects because of their betrayal to others.

Read More
1077 Words | 5 Pages

In the play, Macbeth, there are numerous themes that can be seen in present-day entertainment. However, Shakespeare has an intricate way of displaying these themes in his pieces. Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tragic story that gives the visualization of a fallen hero who is taken over by greed and is utterly stopped. In Macbeth, he displays the theme of “Ambition” throughout the story as Macbeth drives for power and glory eventually leading to his beheading.

Read More
481 Words | 2 Pages

Shakespeare presents the theme of ambition in Macbeth. Ambition is a strong desire to do or achieve something, ambition can also be presented in a positive and negative way. Shakespeare presents ambition in a negative way through some characters who are Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and King Duncan. The reason these characters present ambition in a negative way is because they end up dying. Ambition is also present in a positive way through some characters who are Macduff, Witches and Malcolm these are the characters who survive in the play showing that you can be ambitious but not too ambitious.

Read More
1143 Words | 5 Pages

Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter” (I.3.51-53). The witches' words are a catalyst, fueling Macbeth's ambition and setting him on a treacherous path.

Read More
1313 Words | 6 Pages

Both greed and power, if not controlled, can lead to destruction. Throughout William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses both characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to demonstrate how ambition can change one’s personal relationships. As in the beginning of Act 1, Scene 7 Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do not share the same ambition, and it is because of this that their relationship lacks love and affection however through the use of persuasion and other means, Lady Macbeth is able to get Macbeth to pursue her ambition. This not only changes their relationship drastically but it also changes Macbeth’s attitude towards ambition. Throughout the play, Shakespeare shows us through Macbeth, the possibility for ambition to eventually turn into greed and how the lust for power may corrupt us.

Read More
505 Words | 3 Pages

Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and Oliver stones ‘wall street’ set in distinct time periods, explore the concept that one’s longings for ambition can become overpowering and eventually lead to one’s moralities being recognised. The texts both illustrate that greedy ambition will lead to one’s downfall, that ambition causes people of weak character to behave corruptly to attain their goals, and that ultimately ambition comes with a price. Firstly, in Macbeth ambition is portrayed as seductive yet ethically destructive, in the text both characters who are frail are charmed to pursuing their ambitions at the cost of their own humanity. In ‘Macbeth’ this is shown through the protagonist and how the ambition due to the influence of the witches takes over the like of Macbeth.

Read More
177 Words | 1 Pages

It is human nature to desire something whether it be an occupation or to have power over others. When this desire becomes blind and consumes your thoughts it can have the power to corrupt an individual. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare conveys the message of how blind ambition can corrupt humanity. Shakespeare narrates the story of Macbeth a Nobel and honourable soldier who is very ambitious towards his king Duncan till he comes across three witches who prophecies that “he shalt become king here after” and catalyse his ambition of becoming powerful. Macbeth being persuaded by his wife decides to murder his loyal king to fulfil his want of becoming king.

Read More
180 Words | 1 Pages

Another example of greed contained within the text is the action of Macbeth attempting to murder Banquo and his offsprings. Macbeth had always felt threatened of Banquo’s power and stability in thinking which had added more tension to the situation. It is similar to Macbeth’s first act upon the prophecy, where he was not given much detail about the whole scheme yet he had his ambitions and greed to guide him to his actions. Macbeth had not considered if Banquo’s children would become the reign of Scotland well after Macbeth’s death as a possibility as he was in a place of great paranoia, trying to remain as King.  Macbeth has also mentioned the jealousy he had felt to have Banquo continue his legacy whereas Macbeth’s reign was to be led on

Read More
402 Words | 2 Pages

However, since Macbeth is king of all the land opposing him would be treason. Yet Malcolm continues with his plan and forms an army that goes to attack Macbeth. Macduff ends up killing Macbeth himself. Moreover, Malcolm takes the throne for himself. Power and authority shifts once again.

Read More
427 Words | 2 Pages

In Act IV, Scene 3, Macduff says that he would like to take up their swords and defend where they were born: “Let us rather Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men Bestride our down-fall’n birthdom” (l. 2-4). When Macduff is in England talking to Malcolm and the king of England, Macbeth takes action and has Macduff’s family

Read More
362 Words | 2 Pages

“He has kill'd me, mother: Run away, I pray you!” This drives Macduff to take revenge by killing Macbeth fulfilling the prophecy and ending Macbeth’s life. If Macbeth did not have so much ambition, he would not have visited the witches or even try to kill Macduff’s family. These two events demonstrate how Macbeth’s great ambition resulted in his downfall.

Read More
907 Words | 4 Pages

Naturally, humans have a tendency to strive for greatness and succumb to power, regardless of the consequences or obstacles that may lie in the way. There is no doubt that the desire for such power can result in severe calamities. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the author portrays Macbeth’s character as determined and resentful in his soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1. Shakespeare does so through the use of metaphors, vivid imagery, and the concept of nature in order to portray the protagonist’s tragic flaw of reckless ambition. As Act 3 commences, Banquo and Macbeth discuss the accuracy of the witches’ predictions, but Banquo proceeds to show suspicion of Macbeth.

Read More
967 Words | 4 Pages

Of all the failures human beings experience none are as crushing as those that are a result of following someone else’s desires. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the protagonist self-destructs because of his external forces as well as his own poor choices. An external force that influenced Macbeth includes Lady Macbeth’s strong goals, which she forced on her husband. Additionally, the witches impacted Macbeth’s choices by offering him their tricky prophecies. The blind greed that took over Macbeth’s life also impacted his choices.

Read More
689 Words | 3 Pages

Through the evidence previously stated, the reader can observe that the predominant theme in The Tragedy of Macbeth is the ability that ambition has to consume and overwhelm whoever possesses it. The zealous characteristics that define and describe both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth explain why they

Read More

More about Theme Of Ambition And Greed In Macbeth

Open Document