The Influence of Ambition
Consequences such as the dreading constant thought of guilt can significantly impact a person’s life mentally, emotionally and physically. Guilt most often occurs due to a morally wrong act which one commits. The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare effectively demonstrates this statement since the protagonist, Macbeth, provides a good example as his tragic flaw damages him overall. The text establishes the theme that a selfish desire can destroy one’s conscience and morals due to over ambition. He advertises this life lesson towards the audience through usage of imagery and symbols to show universality. Shakespeare explores the theme by constructing obstacles, which develop distinct characteristics of the main characters,
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In this play in particular, light represented the good while dark represented the evil. Shakespeare refer to the imagery multiple times through character’s speeches. One way it is shown is when Macbeth calls on the darkness to hide his vicious thoughts and says “Let not light see my black and deep desires” (I.iiii.58) when Duncan claims him as the Thane of Cawdor.This is a turning point of the play because the first prophecy becomes true where is he now the Thane of Cawdor and makes Macbeth aim for the throne since there is now hope that the other prophecies become true. This also ignites Macbeth’s downfall towards the dark side as the quote shows. He furthermore says “The eye wink at the hand! Yet let it be” (I.iiii.59). In short, he is saying that he will not let his mind and conscience see what his actions and hands are doing. This further establishes that his conscience is warning him to not commit such wrong acts however his ambitions to capture the throne overpowers. Additionally, Lady Macbeth also begins to join the evil side like her husband once she found out that the prophecy came true. She delivers a speech in Act 1, Scene 5 which displays the willingness she has to do whatever is necessary to seize the crown. Her powerful ambition is the driving force of her husband’s doings since he is doubtful. In the speech she requests the dark to “ “Come, thick night /And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell /That my keen knife see not the wound it makes / Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark /To cry, ‘Hold, hold!’” (I.v.53-57) which means she wants the evil or ‘night’ to hide the atrocious actions which will occur. This concludes that Lady Macbeth also does not want anything or anyone such a conscience to see what dishonourable behaviour she will be convey, which is similar to what her husband wants. As in result, Shakespeare illustrates the strong concept of moral
Ambition is often the driving force in one’s life. It can have an extremely dominant impact on not only yourself, but also many people in your surroundings. You have the ability to control if the outcomes either have a lasting negative or positive effect. When a goal requires determination and hard work to complete, personal morals often take a back seat to the aspiration of accomplishing the goal. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it is clear that like many other great leaders, Macbeth exemplifies the necessary leadership virtue of ambition. Macbeth’s ambition does not just drive him to do great things. It in fact controls him. The playwright explores the idea of how an individual’s ambition can cause them to deceive others, make irrational
There are many different themes displayed in Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth. Many of these themes play with nature, the supernatural, and fate. From ghosts to horses eating each other the play uses symbolism, language, and characters to portray these themes. During the play the audience learns of several themes such as ambition, guilt, fate versus free will, nature versus the unnatural, and how things are not always as they seem.
The play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare is based upon old Scotland and this is used as the general time frame. During this time, Monarchy still existed and Scotland is in war with Whales. There are many emotions that arise throughout the play, but the most important of all is ambition. “Ambition is the desire for personal achievement. Ambitious persons seek to be the best at what they choose to do for attainment, power, or superiority” (“Ambition”). The motif of ambition in the play is that being ambitious leaves one blind to certain areas and can drive one insane to reach the intended goal. Numerous characters that showed this trait throughout the play were Banquo, Macduff, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth.
In play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s most dominant and frightening female characters, known for her ambitious nature. As Macbeth’s wife, her role is significant in his rise and fall from royalty. During Shakespearean times, women were regarded as weak insignificant beings that were there to give birth and look beautiful. They were not thought to be as intelligent or equal to men. Though in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is the highest influence in Macbeth’s life. Her role was so large; in fact, that she uses her position to gain power, stay strong enough to support her unstable Lord, and fails miserably while their
We have all made mistakes in our lives, things we cannot reverse. I personally have never made such a bad mistake its life-changing but we see this happen in MacBeth, a play written by William Shakespeare. It has many themes and insinuates several different messages.
An ambition for power can seem to be true perfection, but one should be careful what they wish for, because that power might be exactly what causes their downfall. In the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare ambition plays a great role and is also a main theme. Ambition is often the motivating force in one's life. It is supposed to be the motivating factor that drives one towards success. The main character, Macbeth has ambition even though it leads him to his downfall. In contrast, Lady Macbeth pursues her goals with greater determination, yet she is less capable of withstanding the outcome of her actions. She becomes guilty which leads to her death since she becomes mentally ill and commits suicide, leaving Macbeth without any
And thou opposed, being of no woman born, Yet I will try the last. Before my body. I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff, And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!’’ Macbeth’s heinous and savage acts are driven by his consuming desires and ambition.
In Macbeth ambition plays a huge role in character devolvement. Ambition affects four of the major characters. The characters are Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Malcom, and Banquo. The sisters are the source of Ambition. It is as if they control ambition. The ambition the sisters’ control is negative ambition. Ambition is, wanting to have more then you have and wanting it now.
The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare recounts Macbeth's meteoric rise as a soldier and promising future leader whose megalomaniacal ambition led to his tragic downfall. In addition to Macbeth's ambitions, which initially enable him to be strong leader and soldier, he is influenced heavily by his wife, Lady Macbeth, and the three witches that prophesize his ascent to the throne, as well as warn him of his eventual demise. It can be argued that it is Macbeth's ambition that allows him to succeed in his endeavors, however the goals to which he is working toward influence the results of his hard work. Macbeth's ambitions help him to become a war hero, and as his goals change, his ambitions drive him to become a tyrannical villain.
In the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the two main characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth helped the audience understand the dangers of unchecked ambition. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth was portrayed as a "good being" that was noble and fought for his country and for his King. He is known by this honourable reputation, and the Sergeant speaks of him fondly, by saying "for brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name”. Once he is told the prophecy that someday he will rise to be King, Macbeth realises his deep desires for power and advancement.
The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare is a story that tells the story of a thane named Macbeth who ruined his life through ambition. But, his actions were influenced by his wife Lady Macbeth who insulted his manhood in order to make him murder. Though Macbeth’s actions were influenced by Lady Macbeth it was still his own desire to follow Lady Macbeth and continue his ambition for power. In the start of the story, Macbeth learns the witches prophecies which state that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and afterward will be king but Banquo will be the father of kings.
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth focuses on the subject of ambition and its psychological burdens. He makes it clear that Macbeth did commit to his hateful deeds responding to the psychological burden of his sins. A respected Thane, who has shown great loyalty to King Duncan, goes from a vigorous and worthy soldier to a shameless murderer presents himself as Macbeth
Perhaps more ambitious than Macbeth himself, Lady Macbeth a woman set for ruling Scotland. She is a manipulative motivator behind the starting downfall of not only herself, but her husband. An interesting and dynamic character, Lady Macbeth is for sure one of the most memorable characters when reading the play, “Macbeth.” Many of Lady Macbeth’s interactions are with her husband and when they are not she acts in the most cunning way. Lady Macbeth is strong, ambitious woman, but can you ever be too ambitious?
‘Macbeth’ is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare in the sixteen hundred, it dramatizes the physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power through the character of Macbeth. ‘The Pursuit Of Happyness’ likewise is a film directed by Gabriel Muccino who portrays a man named Chris Gardener who through his hard work and dedicated ambition goes from living on the streets to a rich stockbroker. In Macbeth and pursuit of happiness, both authors explore how ambition can…. (thesis). Macbeth's ambition is portrayed in a negative light as it is aimed to gain power and status, however, Chris ambition is pushed by his desire to gain happiness and a better future for him and his son. Similarly, both characters endure toxic spousal relationships that help them to tap into their ambition but it leads to different portrayal of ambition. Macbeth and Chris eventually both face the outcome of their ambition for Macbeth it being his doom where else for Chris it being his success. Shakespeare and Gabriel Muccino explore the theme of ambition through the protagonists of both plays.
Ambition, a trait which underlines success, but while unchecked can lead to self or societal corruption. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Macbeth”, a brave general falls into tyranny and paranoia after he acts immorally upon the witches prophecies. Macbeth’s pursuit of long lasting power reveals the consequences of hubris and unchecked ambition, which ultimately leads to the the deterioration of his human nature and the corruption of the kingdom. Through the use of thematic motif, the theme of Macbeth’s unchecked ambition and hubris is examined through his struggle to alter and actuate fate, his haunting hallucinations, and the apparitions.