Shakespeare’s exploration of the values and depiction of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is an important theme in the world of political ambition and power struggle. Macbeth certainly has ambition but at first he is indecisive about trying to translate this ambition into reality. But by using the key words "gender" and "power", there is only one character to which all three are applicable and that is Lady Macbeth. She is in all ways but one the skilled hostess. There was an oblique power to that position, which she clearly subverts when she undertakes the murder of a guest in her own home. Lady Macbeth seizes upon this as a sign of his husband’s fundamental weakness which is most unbecoming in a man. She taunts his lack of
Power is something one can find in all aspects of life. Whether in a relationship between two people or over an entire country, many people hold power in their lives. What is done with that power is up to the person who holds it and can be a strong reflection of their character. Too many people in positions of power become so wrapped up in wanting total control, that they lose sight of what is right and wrong. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, power is demonstrated many ways through many different characters. Power and ambition greatly affects the choices people make everyday.
Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’ is a character who suffers greatly in because of her human weakness, which is her vaulting ambition. This ambition is not for her, but for her husband. This woman, who seemed so in control at the beginning of the okay, only cared for her husband and his success, later becomes so consumed with guilt and remorse that it results in her tragic death. Through the discussion of characterisation and lkey scenes, I shall reveal that Lady Macbeth’s human flaw is not only a major contributor to the ruthlessness of her husband but creates a huge influence in how the play unfolds.
In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, destruction is wrought when ambition goes rampant by moral constraints. “Macbeth” amplifies the fight amidst good vs evil, analyzing the psychological effects of King Duncan's murder. This tragedy concerned the plunge of a great man (King) from his position of nobility to humility on behalf of his ambitious pride. This pride causes the downfall of Macbeth that triggers a series of deaths down the line. Ambition is the driving force of the play.
Macbeth, from Shakespeare’s world renowned Macbeth, serves as an example as the type of person who has their sight set on power and control and is willing to let their unchecked ambition get ahead of them. Macbeth had such a strong desire for power that he was even willing to commit the evil act of murdering King Duncan. Macbeth has chosen the path of evil, which for Macbeth this includes murdering loyal friends, scheming with apparitions and witches, and even murdering sleep, but now there is no turning back.
Ambition has been a driving force of humanity since the beginning of time. Emotions have always had a strong influence on humanity, specifically emotions that tend towards the ruin of others and the gain another. Throughout the history of humanity there have been many examples of people abusing their position of power, to gain something they more than likely did not deserve. Whether it be Hitler and his repulsive ascension to becoming chancellor of Germany, or Kim Jong Un’s obsession with obtaining nuclear weapons at the cost of the people, humanities struggle with greed is unceasing. No one better illustrates this unrelenting thirst for power more than Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is a good, brave, and beloved man at the beginning of the play with the end of his latest battle heralding a new title for him. Fate though, seems to have different plans for the good, albeit, ambitious Macbeth. He is told by the 3 weird sisters that he will one day become king. Thus igniting the flame of greed within Macbeth, signaling his descent into madness and the guilt he feels towards the deeds he has done. Lady Macbeth is much the same in the sense that once she knew of Macbeths own ambition, it hatched her own deep seeded desire for the crown as well. However, there various similarities end with the death of Duncan and the way they both deal with the guilt over what they did. In the play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have similarly great ambition, but this intense avarice in the end leads to their ruin in differing ways.
In this world, one of the strongest human drives seems to be the desire for power. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Thane Macbeth seeks to gain power over Scotland. Through Macbeth’s search for power, he must choose between what is morally right or his inner motives. Macbeth gains power over others through the murders of King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s entire family along with his servants. After each murder, Macbeth becomes more confident in his search to gain power.
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the focus that is placed on the character of Lady Macbeth helps to convey the play's theme of the strife created by the struggle for power and control that is present throughout the entire work. Shakespeare presents her character in great detail and shows her to be a dominating, authoritative woman who thrives on the power she holds over her husband. He then shows the principle character, Macbeth, rise up and join his wife in a struggle for power of his own. It is the actions that Macbeth takes in attempt to achieve ultimate authority that lead to his downfall, and it is Lady Macbeth's loss of control over her husband as he gains this independence which causes her own
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
When one wants something bad enough, the lines between right and wrong tend to blur. In William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the relationship between ambition and corruption is explored. Firstly, Macbeth’s inability to control his urges to know his fate leads him to listen to The Weird Sister’s prophecies, which eventually causes his unhealthy desire for power. Next, Lady Macbeth’s strong ambition to kill the King leads to a corruption of her mental state and behavioural standards. Lastly, Macbeth’s aspiration to rule Scotland leads to a harmful greed for power and the betrayal of his morals. In summary, one’s demonstration of an overly ambitious nature can lead to corruption and an excessive desire for power.
Love is a special emotion that is inherited by everyone. However, as expressed by the writers of Macbeth, Wuthering Heights, and My Last Duchess, love can expressly get destructive. Sometimes, there appears to be no balance of power between the relationships of men and women. Ambition plays an extensive factor in the disruption of love. Macbeth had to overcome several obstacles as a result of his ambition.
Macbeth's Desire for Power Many scholars believe that the desire for power occurs naturally in all humans. The human mind has a natural inclination to be on top and to rule, yet many times this hunger for power destroys the sanity of the power hungry individual, and could potentially destroy the sanity of those around them. In William Shakespeare's 1623 play Macbeth, Lord Macbeth is known as a cruel, power-hungry tyrant who contributed to the desolation of Scotland.
The Desire for Power Welcomed by the guests of the feast, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth make their way through through the banquet. Discussing how they should approach the guests, the murderer that Macbeth hired enters to inform him that Banquo is dead. Delirious and unaware of his surroundings, Macbeth directs his attention towards his guests and goes to sit at the head of the royal table only to find the ghost of Banquo sitting in his chair. Petrified, Macbeth begins to speak to the ghost while his guests are puzzled as to who he is talking to. The ghost disappears only to reappear moments later to further Macbeth into reckless outbursts.
By projecting a heavy focus upon the manipulation of gender and ambition, Macbeth manages to extract a seemingly alien abstraction of the 1600s into a significant narrative element. The tension that coexists between the relations of gender allow for the complete rupture of all social norms. Macbeth’s world becomes disjointed as his masculinity is questioned, his psyche manipulated, and his future incarcerated. Reaves is of the opinion that “the spiritual well being of Scotland in Macbeth suffers from an infection that festers as the play continues. Where “fair is foul and foul is fair” (1.1.12), the basic binary relationships become blurred” (21). Macbeth certainly possesses little power over his choices, submitting to the machinations his
“I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other‘.” William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ explores the central themes of guilt, ambition and power. Yet Shakespeare’s intentions were to suit the expectations and knowledge of the audience in the Elizabeathan society.
Many Shakespearian dramas, like Macbeth, are inspired by the ancient Greek notion of tragedy and the fall of man; much of which is powered by one’s lust for greater gains. Correspondingly, the play reveals how ambition creates the capability of deteriorating a man’s morality and world. This is presented through the titular character and his “dearest partner of greatness” (P. 23) and the consequences of their actions.