Theme of Ambition in Macbeth

A very explicit theme in the play Macbeth is: lust and ambition. This is can be probably seen in every character in the play: Macbeth, Young Siward, Malcolm, Lady Macbeth and many more. All of the characters are driven by a desire to do what they believe is best: it usually begins with ambition. Ambition tends to lead a person to lust whatever they desire and to try to achieve it. Lust is usually thought to be a bad emotion: in such a way that it tends to become evil, but in Macbeth it also shows a good side: showing the perseverance and pride it gives to the person.

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.

Even though it is not clear how the thane betrayed Scotland, the king still finds out and plans to have him executed for his treason. Due to his betrayal, King Duncan decides to give the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth for his heroic acts in the war. Macbeth will have the power to rule of all of Cawdor. Despite all the power that Macbeth just gained he becomes greedy for more. Macbeth

While trying to move on from the mental anguish that Lady Macbeth’s death had brought, Macbeth now has to plan his approach to dealing with Malcolm and the English soldiers. Macbeth, now compensating for multiple predicaments, states that his wife "should have died hereafter" (5.5.19), emphasizing the apathy Macbeth shows towards his wife’s death. This demonstrates the anxiety and guilt he is handling, which overwhelm him mentally to the point where he is emotionally detached. Furthermore, the messenger returns news to Macbeth that the forest of Birnam Wood has come to Dunsinane. A startled Macbeth states in fear, "I pull in resolution, and begin / To doubt the equivocation of the fiend / That lies like truth" (5.5.47-49).

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.

Walking in the night he heard the screams of women and said “I have almost forgot the taste of fear” (V.v.9). The shriek of women at the late of night would frighten most all of us, but not macbeth. He has been around so many wicked acts and it does not faze him. After getting news of his wife’s death he told the messenger “She should of died hereafter” (V.v.17). Although he does feel sorrow over her, he blames her death as an inconvenience.

Ambition is a natural part of human existence, every person has it at least a little. It is when ambition grows too large and takes control of us that it becomes dangerous. It becomes obsessive and soon nothing will stop the person obsessed. Just by looking around at our world today, one can clearly see the results of unchecked ambition. Unchecked ambition can be destructive to a society and cause the society's downfall.

How are Ambition and Power presented in Frankenstein and Macbeth? “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte I believe this quote especially applies in the cases of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (1606) and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818).

In the midst of an oncoming war, it is announced that Macbeth shall “hang those that talk of fear” (5.3.37). The instinctive response of fear has become forbidden as a consequence of Macbeth’s cold-blooded attitude. Similarly, he demonstrates this new demeanor when hearing the news of his wife’s death. The intrinsic human response of despair after the loss of a loved one is absent in Macbeth as he believes “she should have died hereafter”. Lady Macbeth’s husband has become so consumed by his remorse that he could not muster enough humanity to shed a tear for his beloved’s passing.

Macbeth’s monologue in Act 5, Scene 3 of Macbeth by Shakespeare does not evoke sympathy for him from the audience. Within this soliloquy, Macbeth talks of how “honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,” (5.3. 29) should come at the end of his life. He remorses how he does not have these happy things and instead gets unfaithful followers and people who curse him behind his back. However, this does not invoke the audience’s sympathy because he is the one to have dug his own grave through harsh, unjust rule, severe punishments, and murdering those he is suspicious of. Not only does he complain of unfaithful subjects, but he also wonders about the outcome of the battle.

MacBeth is the main character in Shakespeare's MacBeth and rightfully so. He is the character that changes the most and has the greatest impact on the story. MacBeth is the one whom the tragedy is placed on, and because of this it is his story. MacBeth's dynamic character changes throughout the play driving the story forward and showing the theme of visions of power create ambition in individuals. The first point that has to be explained is MacBeth's dynamic character.

”(act.5 scene.vii line 38). Macbeth was slain because he would refuse to bow down and surrender to whom he thought was his rival and every prophecy would come to

At the beginning of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ the protagonist Macbeth is described as ‘brave’, ‘noble’ and ‘honourable’, however Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeths desire for power consumes them. Macbeth’s ambition overrides his conscience and transformed his greatest strength into his greatest weakness. Macbeth’s inability to resist temptations that led him to be greedy for power, Macbeth’s easily manipulative nature which allowed his mind to be swayed, Macbeth having no self control and his excessive pride was what allowed him to renew his previously honourable and celebrated title into one of an evil ‘tyrant’. Macbeth is led by the prophecies of the witches after they foretell he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Not only the witches, but also his wife easily manipulate Macbeth as she attacks his manhood in order to provoke him to act on his desires.

The choices we make reflect ourselves and represents what we have been through with our lives and what experiences we have with certain areas in life. In the play Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses the concept of ambition to explore its impact on Macbeth’s personality and thoughts. Evil motivation is one of the ultimate outcomes of excessive ambition. Motivation is always apparent when the reward for accomplishment is very appealing. For Macbeth, his drive to obtain more power through evil was his ultimate downfall.

Ambition has a major role in the play Macbeth. One of the main things for a character such as Macbeth. Ambition lead him to commit the murder of Duncan, and losing Everything he had. In the beginning of the play Macbeth celebrated as he was brave soldier as he rewarded. He becomes the thane of Coward, as predicted by the three witches.