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Ambition And Prophecy In Macbeth Essay

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In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, two important themes that take place in the play are ambition and prophecy. Ambition is often the motivating force in one's life. It is supposed to be the motivating factor that drives one towards success. In the play, Macbeth has ambition and desire for power that leads him at the end to his downfall. Furthermore, prophecy is done through the role of the three witches in the play. Prophecy has its effect on Macbeth and the decisions he makes throughout the play.
In the beginning of the play, after the visit of the three witches, Macbeth tends to ignore his desires for power, and depends on chance. “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir” (I, 3, 143-144), this declaration by Macbeth shows his initial stand, which is believing in fate and to be sin free. As Macbeth’s character develops throughout the play, he moves from being reliant on chance, to take actions to fulfill his darker desires. However, Lady Macbeth also has a manipulative mastermind, she possesses the power to influence her husband‘s decisions in a negative manner. “... and you shall put This night’s great business into my dispatch, Which shall to all our nights and days to come Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom,” (I, 5, 55-60) Lady Macbeth was the one who conceives the entire plan about murdering king Duncan, and hashes out the details before Macbeth even truly considers taking action to make the prophecies come true. “Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time Such I account thy love,” (I, 6, 26-40) even though Macbeth has the desire to become a king, he did not have enough courage to take any action to fulfil his desire. In contrast, Lady Macbeth is full of courage and will stop at nothing to get what she wants and desires. She attacks Macbeth’s weakest spot, his courage, by convincing him that he will only be a man if he commits the murder.
Macbeth is a brave man who is not naturally inclined to perform evil deeds, yet he desperately wants and desires power and succession. At the beginning, Lady Macbeth was being in control and dominating Macbeth. Later in the

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