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Ambition in Macbeth


             This is evident in William Shakespeare's famous Macbeth, in which the main character, Macbeth, is ultimately responsible for the actions that lead to his fate. Although the witches" prophecies greatly raise Macbeth's ambition, he, eventually, makes the decision to murder King Duncan. Moreover, he makes the mistake of allowing Lady Macbeth to control and influence his thoughts. Finally, he is fully aware of the consequences towards his actions, and is, therefore, responsible for his fate. 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. After Macbeth is granted the position as the Thane of Cawdor, he realizes that the witches" prophecies became a reality. His ambitions are raised when he recalls the prophecy in which he would become King of Scotland, and immediately thinks of murdering King Duncan: .
             I am Thane of Cawdor: / If good, why do I yield to that suggestion / Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs (I, iii, 133-136).
             At this moment Macbeth's evil and dark side is shown. He realizes that he is Thane of Cawdor, but is thinking of murdering the King; he is becoming more and more ambitious. Macbeth, again, displays his thoughts of deceit when Duncan names his son, Malcolm, as his successor: .
             Stars, hide your fires! / Let not light see my black deep desires; / The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be / Which the eye fears, when it is done to see. (I, iii, 50-53).
             Macbeth is surprised and displeased by this decision, and decides to murder Duncan. It is Macbeth's choice to murder King Duncan, as he is responsible for his own ambitions. Macbeth is eager to become a King, therefore he will use any means necessary in order to become it, even if he must be controlled and powered by others.
             Macbeth makes the mistake of allowing Lady Macbeth to control and influence his thoughts, therefore further raising his ambitions.


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