In the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, we see many common themes that emerge. One of the major themes is ambition, which in the end eventually leads to death. Ambition finds its most powerful expression in the play's two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The ambition of these main characters leads to greed, insanity, and there own death.
Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement. There are three main factors that contribute greatly to Macbeth's ambition and then insanity, the prophecy's told to him by the witches, Lady Macbeth influencing and manipulating Macbeth's judgment, and Macbeth's own ambition and greed to become king. Macbeth's character degenerates from a noble man at the beginning of the play to a violent individual at the end. With his wife's cajoling, and the three witches" foretelling of his future, Macbeth will stop at nothing to gain position as Kind of Scotland.
The three witches and their prophecy's are the first major influences on Macbeth's actions. Macbeth, Thane of Glamis is content with his position, until the three witches tell him he will be Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland. "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (Act 1.3, 48-50). After hearing this from the witches", Macbeth and Banquo, his loyal friend, find out that King Duncan has named Macbeth "Thane of Cawdor". They then contemplate about how the rest of the prophecy will come true. The witches also advise them that Banquo's son would be King one day. "Thou shalt get Kings, though thou be none. / So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!" (Act 1.3, 67-68). As a result of the prophecies, this aroused Macbeth's curiosity of how he could be King of Scotland. As the play progresses, Macbeth slowly relies on the witches" prophecy's more.
Macbeth's flaw, of course, is his ambition. ... Not only is ambition present in Macbeth, but in Lady Macbeth as well. Ambition motivates both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to commit dreadful deeds, and later, Macbeth's ambition turns into obsession. ... Macbeth's ambition is to become King. ... Lady Macbeth's ambition motivates Macbeth until he becomes a tyrant. ...
Macbeth's Ambition Whose ambitions drive the play more, Macbeth's or his lady's? ... Throughout the play, the figure of who is in control is frequently blurred, as Macbeth and his lady's ambitions trade places multiple times. ... Macbeth's ambitions are far superior to Lady Macbeth's, as he goes all the way with his and she loses it. But, in the end, it truly it is Lady Macbeth's ambition that propels the plot the farthest. This is only because she is the quite literal key that starts the engine of Macbeth's great ambition. ...
Although the witches" prophecies greatly raise Macbeth's ambition, he, eventually, makes the decision to murder King Duncan. ... Macbeth's ambition decides his fate. Despite the witches" foretelling, Macbeth, in the end, makes the decision to kill King Duncan, due to his ambition. ... It is Macbeth's choice to murder King Duncan, as he is responsible for his own ambitions. ... Macbeth makes the mistake of allowing Lady Macbeth to control and influence his thoughts, therefore further raising his ambitions. ...
Ambition is a theme of interest in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. ... Macbeth's ambition could be compared to the ambition, or lack there of, of Banquo's, they are both told there futures by the three witches, but what they do with that information is very different. One shows great honor, and the other falls into the trap that great ambition often creates. ... Macbeth's ambition and greed leads to his downfall. ... The play Macbeth shows that ambition is something that should be avoided, it only causes problems. ...
In Shakespeare's tragedy, "Macbeth," ambition leads to the eventual fall of Macbeth. ... So ultimately, ambition is the true reason for downfall and tragedy in "Macbeth." ... Lady Macbeth's ambition starts Macbeth's search for power. ... Macbeth's ambition got him the title of king but not the respect of one. ... But Macbeth uses his ambition to keep his reign as long as possible. ...
If it's true that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth to teach readers the lesson that too much ambition how Macbeth had to become king is wrong, there would be enough reasons on why people might agree or disagree with what Shakespeare's exact message was for creating Macbeth, but the lesson of too much ambition I would agree with that. As for Nietzsche, who disagreed and said he claims Shakespeare actually admired Macbeth's ambition. ... Nietzsche could be someone who enjoys how Macbeth achieved what he wanted with the heartless ambition he had.I would say that I agree more with Shakespe...
Ambition is a characteristic of human nature. There is good ambition and there is ambition can expressed in an evil manner that can transform a person to evil. For example for good ambition, people must have ambition to chase other people who is stronger or more powerful then him. ... After hearing the prophecy from the witches, Macbeth won't believe what they say, But after one of the prophecy has come true, Macbeth ambition start. It is normal that Macbeth ambition start. ...
Ambition and greed are portrayed effectively in William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth." ... As you can see, there is a difference between greed and ambition. Ambition may barely even affect anyone else. ... In "Macbeth", the lead character, Macbeth, really does not know if he is going to get what he want with ambition, therefore he uses greed unknowing whether he is going to attain it with or without any consequences. ... Macbeth was a very ambition man, but greed slowly creeps into him and affected his decisions. ...
Macbeth: Ambition is Root of All Evil It is said that ambition is the key to success. ... Lady Macbeth, his wife, then pushes the ambition. After the murdering of Duncan, Macbeth has gained enough ambition himself to cause his own destruction. ... Each murder kills more and more of Macbeth's morality, and builds his ambitions. ... Through his own ambitions, the ambitions of his wife, and the prophesies of the witches, Macbeth has caused his own destruction and downfall. ...