Macbeth's Ambition Research Paper

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erlaps itself and falls on th’ other-” (Shakespeare 321). Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth portrays many characters with high aspirations that not only shape the plot and action of the story, but also the themes. Additionally, the intentions of the characters and the intensity of their pursuit varies as the action of the play progresses. Throughout The Tragedy of Macbeth, main characters exemplify the positive and negative influence of ambitions through their thoughts, traits, actions, and motivations.

The demanding power of ambition is noted through Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. Within this play, ambition is portrayed as a corrupting and unquenchable force through the main concepts of mental imbalance, supernatural behaviours and betrayal. The all-consuming desires of Macbeth and their repercussions are vividly enhanced through the use of various expressive literary techniques. Within the play, there are countless references of the supernatural, which often transpired to tragedies. An example such supernatural ambition occurs between the witches; “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (Act 1, Scene 1, pg 29). This quote from the opening scene reverses the syntactic structure and symbolizes a reversal in the logical order of the play as well as

Human nature, the dictation of an individual’s actions, is controlled by two majors force of loyalty and ambition. The play Macbeth, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, revolves around the story of Macbeth and his rise from the thane of Cawdor to the King of Scotland through multiple bloody murders. His malevolent acts lead him to be hated by many, prompting a revolt that ends his reign. Initially, Macbeth was shown to be loyal follower, never thinking to do anything that would contrast his allegiance to the king. Upon hearing a prophecy of his future to become king, a spark of ambition ignited within Macbeth that drove him to commit foul acts in order to gain kingship. Macbeth’s loyal characteristics and ambitions could not coexist, and as one fought for control against the other, Macbeth delved further into darkness culminating in his fall and death. Throughout the play of Macbeth, Shakespeare depicts that it is human nature to struggle with the balance of one’s own obligations as well as the desires and ambitions that drives them; he presents this struggle as impossible to overcome, with it eventually leading one’s self to the brink of insanity.

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

In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth’s descent into madness is a major theme in the story. Throughout the play we witness him try to reach his ambitions, but also witnessing his journey into insanity. What caused this descent? Macbeth had many influences in his life telling him where to go and what to do. His wife, Lady Macbeth told him to chase after his ambitions, and the three witches supposedly prophesied that his ambitions would be reached. Who was responsible for the final outcome of his descent? Lady Macbeth and the three witches were major influences in his descent, but ultimately was Macbeth responsible for his own destruction? To be able to identify who is really responsible for this unfortunate outcome, one must examine each person’s

As we finished reading and analyzing the story of Macbeth, we have found out his ambition which is the pursuit of power. Macbeth's ambition led him to his own downfall and have done things that is out of his characteristics. Macbeth's ambition represents a universal human pursuit of power because they will do anything to an extent to obtain power, they can be encouraged by someone to take action to get what they desire, and it can lead them to their own "downfall".

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

As a result of his ambition, Macbeth's ambition caused him to be easily influenced. Everyone wants to know how's Macbeth's ambition caused him to be easily influenced ? Macbeth's ambition caused him to be influenced because of Lady Macbeth and the three witches. According to Act I, Scene V Lady Macbeth fears that her husband is to kind and polite that her husband is being too soft to seize the throne. She's saying that she wants it more than he does. She wants Macbeth to be more aggressive and she also wants to be known. Lady Macbeth wanted to change his humor and tone to influence him to be King of Cawdor. In spite of Lady Macbeth's intentions to influence Macbeth, the three witches wanted to change Macbeth's point of view that he won't be king forever.

Crowning Ambition To achieve a goal, dream it, set your mind to it, and accomplish it. This explains Macbeth's speedy rise to the throne in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Macbeth makes quick work of becoming king because he sets his mind to his ambitions and accomplishes them with (Lady Macbeth's support pushing him). However, sometimes ambitions override logic, which sets a path of negative and harmful actions required to achieve them.

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.

Lady Macbeth is more evil than her husband and is blamed more with the things she did. She is responsible more of the blame in the King Duncan's murder than her husband is.

Philosopher Heraclitus once said that to achieve “[great] results required [great] ambitions.”. The ambition of others has helped shape our planet and continues to establish legacies, modern marvels, and motivate massive change with its power. Although the strength we receive from ambition can be considered a blessing, it also becomes a disease of the soul if not used wisely. The power that an individual receives when given the opportunity to follow ambition can lead to the demise of the individual in the future if it is utilized blindly. Shakespeare's play Macbeth demonstrates how an individual's ambition has the power to determine their future. Therefore, when an individual is consumed by the thought of their ambition, it will obscure their

    William Shakespeare's tragic play Macbeth presents the fizzled drive of an ambitious husband and wife. This essay is the story of their destructive ambition.

The historical play Macbeth written by Shakespeare tells a story of a man who succumbs to his ambitious demons and consequently develops a manic-depressive persona. After studying Macbeth and reading various criticisms I can conclude that Macbeth is a slave to his overarching ambition. The ambition was always there but when he encounters the “weird sisters” who tell him half-truths as a prophecy his weak mind choses to believe it and thus begins his journey to his own demise. The critics I will be referencing are John Charles Bucknill (1858), Vassilki Markidou (2003), Bert O. States (1985). Each critic argues that Macbeth’s ambition is ultimately responsible

Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s most powerful and emotionally intense plays. Macbeth, once known for his courage and bravery is transformed into a ruthless tyrant. His wife, Lady Macbeth, once known for her strength and great ambition is soon engulfed by guilt and sensitivity greatly weakens her. As the tragic hero Macbeth is overcome by tensions in his criminal act and the reactions by his conscience (Nix).