macbeth essays about ambition

William Shakespeare

Ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Macbeth is a play about ambition run amok. The weird sisters ' prophecies spur both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to try to fulfill their ambitions, but the witches never make Macbeth or his wife do anything. Macbeth and his wife act on their own to fulfill their deepest desires. Macbeth, a good general and, by all accounts before the action of the play, a good man, allows his ambition to overwhelm him and becomes a murdering, paranoid maniac. Lady Macbeth, once she begins to put into actions the once-hidden thoughts of her mind, is crushed by guilt.

Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth want to be great and powerful, and sacrifice their morals to achieve that goal. By contrasting these two characters with others in the play, such as Banquo , Duncan , and Macduff , who also want to be great leaders but refuse to allow ambition to come before honor, Macbeth shows how naked ambition, freed from any sort of moral or social conscience, ultimately takes over every other characteristic of a person. Unchecked ambition, Macbeth suggests, can never be fulfilled, and therefore quickly grows into a monster that will destroy anyone who gives into it.

Ambition ThemeTracker

Ambition Quotes in Macbeth

Understanding Macbeth's Ambition

An Analysis of Ambition in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

• Shakespeare's Life and World
• Best Sellers
• Classic Literature
• Plays & Drama
• Short Stories
• Children's Books
• M.A., Theater Studies, Warwick University
• B.A., Drama and English, DeMontfort University

Ambition is the driving force of William Shakespeare's tragedy " Macbeth ." More specifically, it is about ambition that goes unchecked by any concept of morality; this is why it becomes a dangerous quality. Macbeth’s ambition inspires most of his actions, and that results in the deaths of numerous characters and the ultimate downfall of both himself and Lady Macbeth.

The Sources of Ambition in 'Macbeth'

Macbeth’s ambition is driven by a number of factors. For one, he has a deep internal desire for power and advancement. However, that is not exactly why he turns to crime. It takes two outside forces to ignite this hunger and push him to take violent action to obtain power.

• Prophecies: Throughout the play, the Macbeth witches make a number of prophecies, including that Macbeth will become king. Macbeth believes them each time, and often uses the predictions to decide his next actions, such as killing Banquo. While the prophecies always turn out to be true, it is unclear whether they are preordained instances of fate or self-fulfilling via the manipulation of characters like Macbeth.
• Lady Macbeth : The witches may have planted the initial seed in Macbeth’s mind to act on his ambition, but his wife is the one who pushes him to murder. Lady Macbeth’s persistence encourages Macbeth to put aside his guilt and kill Duncan, telling him to focus on his ambition, not his conscience.

Controlling Ambition

Macbeth’s ambition soon spirals out of control and forces him to murder again and again to cover up his previous wrongdoings. His first victims of this are the chamberlains who are framed by Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan and killed as “punishment.”

Later in the play, Macbeth’s fear of Macduff incites him to pursue not only Macduff but also his family. The unnecessary murder of Lady Macduff and her children are the clearest example of Macbeth losing control over his ambition.

Balancing Ambition and Morality

We also see a more honorable take on ambition in "Macbeth." To test Macduff’s loyalty, Malcolm pretends to be greedy, lustful, and power-hungry. When Macduff responds by condemning him and crying out for the future of Scotland under such a king, he shows his allegiance to the country and refusal to submit to tyrants. This reaction from Macduff, along with Malcolm's choosing to test him in the first place, demonstrates that moral code in positions of power is more important than the ambition to get there, especially blind ambition.

Consequences

The consequences of ambition in “Macbeth” are dire—not only are a number of innocent people killed, but Macbeth’s life also ends with him being known as a tyrant, a significant downfall from the noble hero he begins as.

Most importantly, Shakespeare gives neither Macbeth nor Lady Macbeth the opportunity to enjoy what they have gained—perhaps suggesting that it is more satisfying to achieve your goals fairly than acquire them through corruption.

Does Violent Ambition End With Macbeth?

At the end of the play, Malcolm is the victorious king and Macbeth’s burning ambition has been extinguished. But is this really the end to over-reaching ambition in Scotland? The audience is left to wonder if Banquo’s heir will eventually become king as prophesied by the trio of witches. If so, will he act on his own ambition to make this happen, or will fate play a part in realizing the prophecy?

• 'Macbeth' Overview
• 'Macbeth' Characters
• 'Macbeth': Themes and Symbols
• 'Macbeth' Summary
• Famous Quotes From 'Macbeth'
• Macbeth Character Analysis
• Why the 'Macbeth' Witches Are Key to Shakespeare's Play
• The Theme of Guilt in "Macbeth"
• Everything You Need to Know About 'Macbeth'
• Tragic Flaw: Literary Definition and Examples
• Lady Macbeth Character Analysis
• 'Macbeth' Quotes Explained
• Top 5 Female Villains in Shakespeare Plays
• 'The Tempest' Characters: Description and Analysis
• Shakespeare Tragedies: 10 Plays With Common Features
• 7 Types of Female Characters in Shakespeare's Plays

Macbeth Ambition Quotes

Macbeth is a play steeped with the theme of ambition, and as such there are plenty of Macbeth ambition quotes to choose from. On this page, we run through the most significant quotes from Macbeth about ambition, each with an explanation giving some context.

When Macbeth and Banquo encounter the three witches, they are told a number of prophecies, including that Macbeth will one day be made King of Scotland and that Banquo’s children will sit on the king’s throne. They are both initially skeptical about the prophecies, but Macbeth is intrigued by the prospect of becoming the most powerful man in Scotland. He wonders how it might occur, and foresees undertaking an evil deed to get there:

“My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smother’d in surmise.” (Act 1, Scene 3)

It is clear that the witches’ words have stirred some ambition in Macbeth. He asks them to reveal more to him of how he will ascend to power but they disappear without telling him, leaving him in a state of suspense. He realizes his path to the crown will likely require violence, but shows that he is uncomfortable with the evil thoughts that are starting to fill his head:

“Why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid images doth unfix my hair, And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature?” (Act 1, Scene 3)

When Macbeth realizes that one of the witches’ prophesies has come true (he has become ‘Thane of Cawdor’, a title of Scottish nobility) he immediately begins to wonder whether it could be true that he will become king.  The eagerness with which he speaks these words suggest his ambition is front of mind, even though he understands he will need to commit a heinous, violent act in order to become king – thoughts which at this point he seems to refuse to consider acting upon:

“Two truths are told As happy prologues to the swelling act Of th’imperial theme” (Act 1, Scene 3)

Macbeth goes on to describes his wish to become king as ‘black and deep desires’, which suggests he is struggling with the acts he will need to undertake to fulfill his ambition:

“The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (Act 1, Scene 4)

The events of Act 1, Scene 5, display the ambition of both Macbeth and his wife. Lady Macbeth reflects on her husband’s character and acknowledges that he may have ambitious dreams and could be king, but thinks that he is too gentle and not willing to display the ruthless behaviour to make those dreams come true.

She seems to understand her husband well and displays her own philosophy of power, where only those who are able to set aside morality can rise to greatness. When she receives Macbeth’s letter and learns about the witches’ prophecy she says:

“Yet do I fear thy nature It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

In the same soliloquy she continues to display her own ambition, wishing he would come home right away so she can use her power to influence over him to act in a way that will satisfy their mutual ambition:

“Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

By the end of the first act, Macbeth’s moral fabric is overridden by the lust for power even though he starts to doubt his plan to murder Duncan. He uses a metaphor about a horse rider unable to use his spurs to make his horse go faster, but who uses ambition to leap an obstacle and ends up falling.

This quote on Macbeth’s ambition gets to the tension between Macbeth’s unwillingness to continue with his plan to murder Duncan and his understanding that his ambition is leading him to dangerous places:

“I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other” (Act 1, Scene 5)

Ross predicts that ambition will be to blame for Duncan’s murder as Macbeth is unable to conceal his plan to become king. However, Ross believes it will be Duncan’s children that go against nature and kill their father. As it’s Macbeth that kills Duncan, is this against nature too, or his Macbeth’s ambition all too natural?

“‘Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up Thine own lives’ means! Then ‘tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.” (Act 2, Scene 4)

Once the deed is done and Macbeth is king, he continues to feel insecure and restless. Paranoia starts to creep in that he may lose his position, and he is frustrated he has no heir. There is no meaning to being king if his lineage will not continue after him. This quote shows that by giving in to his ambition and murdering Duncan he has not achieved what he wanted, but that more violent acts must follow:

“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus” (Act 3, Scene 1)

In case it was in any doubt, in this Macbeth ambition quote he explicitly states that all of his violent actions are for his own good:

“For mine own good All causes shall give way. I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3, Scene 4)

Shakespeare reveals at the end of the play that unbridled ambition leads to no good for the protagonist or those around him. Lady Macbeth commits suicide and Macbeth is depressed and surrounded by an army ready to overthrow him.

In this famous soliloquy, Macbeth vocalizing that he understands all his efforts were pointless. His wife is dead, he is about to die, and Malcolm is going to be king. He laments:

“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty deaths. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” (Act 5, Scene 5)

Shakespeare’s final take on ambition in Macbeth shows how it can be harnessed properly. Macduff plans to avenge his family and his king but doesn’t seek any power himself:

“Either thou, Macbeth, Or else my sword, with an unbattered edge, I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be; By this great clatter, one of greatest note Seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune, And more I beg not. “ (Act 5, Scene 6)

Read Mabeth quotes in modern English :

• Is this a dagger which I see before me?
• If it were done when ’tis done
• The raven himself is hoarse
• Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Shakespeare Quotes by Play

Hamlet Quotes | Henry V Quotes | Julius Caesar Quotes | King Lear Quotes | Macbeth Quotes | A Midsummer Night’s Dream Quotes | Much Ado About Nothing Quotes | Othello Quotes | Romeo and Juliet Quotes | The Tempest Quotes | Twelfth Night Quotes

See All Macbeth Resources

Macbeth | Macbeth summary | Macbeth characters : Banquo , Lady Macbeth , Macbeth , Macduff , Three Witches | Macbeth settings | Modern Macbeth translation  | Macbeth full text | Macbeth PDF  |  Modern Macbeth ebook | Macbeth for kids ebooks | Macbeth quotes | Macbeth ambition quotes |  Macbeth quote translations | Macbeth monologues | Macbeth soliloquies | Macbeth movies | Macbeth themes

• WhatsApp 16
• Pinterest 0

Leave a Reply

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Themes - AQA Ambition and power in Macbeth

Macbeth introduces us to the savage and superstitious world of medieval, feudal Scotland. However, some of the themes that Shakespeare highlights are still relevant in the 21st century.

Part of English Literature Macbeth

Ambition and power in Macbeth

Shakespeare set Macbeth in the distant past and in a part of Britain that few of his audience would have been familiar with. Scotland is shown as a wild and savage place ruled over by a weak king (Duncan) who relies on his warrior thanes close thane A Scottish nobleman. to keep control. However, through the character of Macbeth, Shakespeare goes on to show that having too much ambition and total control of power is just as bad. By the end of the play Malcolm has become King and it seems likely that he will be much fairer and treat his people justly.

How is this shown in the play?

In Macbeth , William Shakespeare examines the good and bad aspects of ambition and power. Some of the key aspects are:

• the fatal flaw close fatal flaw In tragedy this refers to a defect in someone's character that leads them to a bad end.

Analysing the evidence

Who is more ambitious, Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?

Show answer Hide answer

• Macbeth has natural ambition but this is reinforced by his meeting with the Witches and by his wife's persuasive powers.
• Lady Macbeth is ambitious for herself but also on her husband's behalf.
• For Duncan's murder, most of the plan's details are created by Lady Macbeth. Macbeth carries out the actual murder but Lady Macbeth deals with the cover up.
• The Macbeths act very much as a single unit, though their ambitious natures and their shared guilt eventually tear their marriage apart. Shakespeare leaves the audience to decide who is more ambitious.

More guides on this topic

• Plot summary - AQA
• Characters - AQA
• Form, structure and language - AQA
• Dramatisation - AQA
• Sample exam question - AQA

Related links

• Bitesize revision podcasts
• Jobs that use English
• BBC Teach: Literature
• Watch Macbeth on iPlayer
• BBC Sounds Classic Stories
• Edusites Subscription
• Get Revising: Eng Lit
• RSC: Teacher Resources
• Fast Past Papers

Notes on the Theme of Ambition in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Back to: Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Ambition fills a man with eagerness. Once it is discovered in one’s mind, it demands to be acted upon. Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tale of the fight between men’s instinct and their love for hierarchical order.

The play portrays various levels and dimensions of ambition through its major characters. Shakespeare loves social stability. In this play, we notice the consequences of sheltering uncontrolled ambition. The realisations of Macbeth teach us the role of ambition in life.

The witches plant the driving force of the plot in the mind of Macbeth . The ambition which gets into him is actually a discovery of his self-knowledge. Here we can see, how the same lure set by the witches start different kinds of thoughts in different characters. 

While Macbeth divides himself between his conscience and his much darker side, Lady Macbeth sets herself on the path to break into a world of men without knowing how to do it. 

When an obsessively ambitious person is busy in progress, he remains less dangerous. Every time the progress of ambition is presented in the play, violence happens. In a political climate, we get to see minds revealing themselves at the mercy of ambition.

Lady Macbeth and the witches are only the dim reminders to Macbeth, it is his own obsession with the power which drives his downfall . Macbeth used to be a loyal person, fighting for his own country. Duncan, King of Scotland, appointed him as the Thane of Cawdor.

Macbeth’s life could have been an example of honour and royalty sanctioned by society but he is a deeply ambitious person with a relentless pursuit of power. He realises what is right but he is a slave to his darker side.

His darker side is constantly fuelled by Lady Macbeth and the witches. The ambition set against the time-honoured principles takes away any hint of hope from this tragic text.

Lady Macbeth’s ambition to become a queen makes her wish for crossing all boundaries. She detests her feminine qualities which stops her from stepping upon a path normally allowed to a man in such a society. Her ambition channels through the actions of Macbeth.

Here we see, how ambition spreads its branches across individuals. Ambition makes her ruthless. With acute clarity, she brings Macbeth out of the moral dilemma and conspires him into darker deeds. She is caught in a conflict of “ unsex ”ing herself.

Somehow unconsciously, her ambition is also to break away from the domination of any man. In the play, we also see instances of stabilising ambition inspired by a sense of revenge in Macduff and Malcolm .

They aim for re-establishing the earlier order. The role of ambition in this play secretly shows us a society where old norms are being broken apart. It is best summed in this dialogue of the character called Ross, “ gainst Nature still! Thriftless ambition still ravin up thine own lives’ means! Then tis’ most like the Sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. ” ( Act 2, Scene 4)

Mr Salles Teaches English

Grade 9 Essay: How does Shakespeare present the theme of ambition in the play?

What is the shortest essay which can get full marks.

I’m writing a guide to how to write essays at each grade for Macbeth. My Ultimate Guide to Macbeth shows you how to understand the whole play, scene by scene, to above grade 9. It also shows you how to write about each scene at grades 6, 7, 8, 9 and beyond grade 9.

I’ve written over 20 guides and it is the best guide I have ever written.

But, what if you are a student who just wants a grade 5, or just wants a grade 7, or you want a grade 9, but you want it as quickly as possible. You don’t want to read an Ultimate Guide to Macbeth - that’s going to have a lot of Mr Salles brilliance in it but, no offence Mr Salles, English isn’t even in my top 5 subjects.

I want the maximum marks, with the minimum effort.

So, that’s why I’m writing a series of new guides, showing you ‘just’ what you need for each grade, and no more.

How I wrote the essays in the essay writing guide (out in September)

I found all the essays I could which had been marked by a senior examiner.

I rewrote them, changing all the words, but keeping every idea and technique, and every quote.

Then I counted the features of each essay. Exam criteria are vague and open to interpretation. So I wondered, are there features of each essay I can count, which are not open to interpretation? And then, if we do count these features, will they predict the right mark?

Let’s find out.

This is an extract from the guide. Normally, my comments, and the examiner comments, follow the essay. Here, I have put the comments first so you can see what the examiner is looking for before you read the essay.

Response 24

Thesis Statement Yes Explanations 9 Quotes 5 Named Methods 5 Society/era/patriarchal/Jacobean/contemporary/ historical reference etc 3 Shakespeare 4 Exploratory Could, Might, May, Perhaps, Probably 0 Conclusion Yes Paragraphs 7

My Comments

Well, well, well. I was not expecting that mark. (It scored 25/30).

It doesn’t have anywhere near the number of references or quotations I was expecting for AO1.

It introduces the idea that ambition will affect ‘reason’, but never actually proves it –there are many easy examples and quotes revealing the mental state of Macbeth – is this a dagger, murdered sleep, never shake they gory locks, my mind is full of scorpions etc - and Lady Macbeth sleepwalking. The original essay included mistakes in identifying adverbs and nouns, which I’ve got rid of, because even naming them correctly adds no marks. There is very little context used to back up interpretations.

So, what has impressed the examiner?

There are both a thesis statement and a conclusion, so it becomes a well-constructed argument. The student has quoted from the end of the play right at the beginning, to show that they are dealing with the whole text. Although they don’t give many examples from the rest of the play, they do move through it chronologically, so it is a well-constructed argument. This, and very specific language to describe it, helps the student look at Macbeth’s character arc, his ‘journey’, showing how Macbeth changes. The answer looks at the structure of the play in two ways. First by viewing Macbeth’s life in two parts – a rise and fall. Secondly, by exploring Banquo as the antithesis to Macbeth in his ambition. These two ideas mark the answer out as thoughtful and different from most students’ essays.

Examiner Comments

The answer focuses on ambition right from the start and with every point. The thesis statement and next paragraph make it clear that the student is dealing with the whole text. The essay is thoughtful and developed. The student embeds quotations and references to illustrate their ideas. The student’s comments about Shakespeare’s intentions throughout the essay show that they realise his choices are deliberate. In order to get into level 6 the student should explore more of Shakespeare’s ideas.

Write down the other ideas you could put into this essay.

Find references or quotes to back these up.

Write another 350 words to add in to get 30/30.

Thank you for reading Mr Salles Teaches English. I want every student to be able to go up by several grades. Please share this post to help me reach that goal.

The 420 Word Essay!

Shakespeare reveals ambition as the dominant theme in the play, because it is Macbeth’s overpowering ambition which leads to his immoral murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth and the witches can only influence Macbeth in this because his ambition is already so great.

In this extract, Shakespeare explores how ambition influences even the most honourable. This is why he gives Lady Macbeth the perspective that Macbeth’s character is “ too full o’th’ milk of human kindness ”, which is her real perception because Shakespeare reveals it in SOLILOQUY. We associate “ milk ” with innocence and purity, which implies that Macbeth is too noble to act on his ambition. Yet, once he has reigned as king, he is viewed as a “ butcher ”, because he has become both cruel and indiscriminate in his killing.

This change from excessive kindness to tyranny is a surprising journey, which warns the audience of the danger of ambition. Moreover, Shakespeare portrays ambition as a force which will overcome morality and reason. He gives Lady Macbeth the view that Macbeth is “ not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it ”. The COMPARISON of ambition to “ illness ” implies that it is destructive, and also that this destruction can turn on the ambitious person themselves, attacking their sense of morality and ability to be kind.

Macbeth lists every reason not to murder Duncan, before focusing on his “ vaulting ambition ”. This METAPHOR implies that his ambition is more powerful than his conscience, so he will overcome his moral objections.

Paid subscribers get a grade 9 exam answer every week, with examiner comments. There are over 40 already published, to which paid subscribers get full access.

The rest of the answer is below the line.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Mr Salles Teaches English to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Macbeth Essays

There are loads of ways you can approach writing an essay, but the two i favour are detailed below., the key thing to remember is that an essay should focus on the three aos:, ao1: plot and character development; ao2: language and technique; ao3: context, strategy 1 : extract / rest of play, the first strategy basically splits the essay into 3 paragraphs., the first paragraph focuses on the extract, the second focuses on the rest of the play, the third focuses on context. essentially, it's one ao per paragraph, for a really neatly organised essay., strategy 2 : a structured essay with an argument, this strategy allows you to get a much higher marks as it's structured to form an argument about the whole text. although you might think that's harder - and it's probably going to score more highly - i'd argue that it's actually easier to master. mainly because you do most of the work before the day of the exam., to see some examples of these, click on the links below:, lady macbeth as a powerful woman, macbeth as a heroic character, the key to this style is remembering this: you're going to get a question about a theme, and the extract will definitely relate to the theme., the strategy here is planning out your essays before the exam, knowing that the extract will fit into them somehow., below are some structured essays i've put together., macbeth and gender.

Macbeth – A* / L9 Full Mark Example Essay

This is an A* / L9 full mark example essay on Macbeth completed by a 15-year-old student in timed conditions (50 mins writing, 10 mins planning).

It contained a few minor spelling and grammatical errors – but the quality of analysis overall was very high so this didn’t affect the grade. It is extremely good on form and structure, and perhaps could do with more language analysis of poetic and grammatical devices; as the quality of thought and interpretation is so high this again did not impede the overall mark. 

Thanks for reading! If you find this resource useful, you can take a look at our full online Macbeth course here . Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!

This course includes: 

• A full set of video lessons on each key element of the text: summary, themes, setting, characters, context, attitudes, analysis of key quotes, essay questions, essay examples
• Downloadable documents for each video lesson 
• A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback
• A bonus Macbeth workbook designed to guide you through each scene of the play!

For more help with Macbeth and Tragedy, read our article here .

MACBETH EXAMPLE ESSAY:

Macbeth’s ambition for status and power grows throughout the play. Shakespeare uses Macbeth as an embodiment of greed and asks the audience to question their own actions through the use of his wrongful deeds.

In the extract, Macbeth is demonstrated to possess some ambition but with overriding morals, when writing to his wife about the prophecies, Lady Macbeth uses metaphors to describe his kind hearted nature: “yet I do fear thy nature, / It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness”. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a more gentle natured being who is loyal to his king and country. However, the very act of writing the letter demonstrates his inklings of desire, and ambition to take the throne. Perhaps, Shakespeare is aiming to ask the audience about their own thoughts, and whether they would be willing to commit heinous deeds for power and control. 

Furthermore, the extract presents Macbeth’s indecisive tone when thinking of the murder – he doesn’t want to kill Duncan but knows it’s the only way to the throne. Lady Macbeth says she might need to interfere in order to persuade him; his ambition isn’t strong enough yet: “That I may pour my spirits in  thine ear / And chastise with the valour of my tongue”. Here, Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as a manipulative character, conveying she will seduce him in order to “sway “ his mind into killing Duncan. The very need for her persuasion insinuates Macbeth is still weighing up the consequences in his head, his ambition equal with his morality. It would be shocking for the audience to see a female character act in this authoritative way. Lady Macbeth not only holds control of her husband in a patriarchal society but the stage too, speaking in iambic pentameter to portray her status: “To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great”. It is interesting that Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth in this way; she has more ambition for power than her husband at this part of play. 

As the play progresses, in Act 3, Macbeth’s ambition has grown and now kills with ease. He sends three murders to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, as the witches predicted that he may have heirs to the throne which could end his reign. Macbeth is suspicious in this act, hiding his true intentions from his dearest companion and his wife: “I wish your horses swift and sure on foot” and “and make our faces vizards to our hearts”. There, we see, as an audience, Macbeth’s longing to remain King much stronger than his initial attitudes towards the throne He was toying with the idea of killing for the throne and now he is killing those that could interfere with his rule without a second thought. It is interesting that Shakespeare presents him this way, as though he is ignoring his morals or that they have been “numbed” by his ambition. Similarly to his wife in the first act, Macbeth also speaks in pentameter to illustrate his increase in power and dominance. 

In Act 4, his ambition and dependence on power has grown even more. When speaking with the witches about the three apparitions, he uses imperatives to portray his newly adopted controlling nature: “I conjure you” and “answer me”. Here, the use of his aggressive demanding demonstrates his reliance on the throne and his need for security. By the Witches showing him the apparitions and predicting his future, he gains a sense of superiority, believing he is safe and protected from everything. Shakespeare also lengthens Macbeth’s speech in front of the Witches in comparison to Act 1 to show his power and ambition has given him confidence, confidence to speak up to the “filthy nags” and expresses his desires. Although it would be easy to infer Macbeth’s greed and ambition has grown from his power-hungry nature, a more compassionate reading of Macbeth demonstrates the pressure he feels as a Jacobean man and soldier. Perhaps he feels he has to constantly strive for more to impress those around him or instead he may want to be king to feel more worthy and possibly less insecure. 

It would be unusual to see a Jacobean citizen approaching an “embodiment” of the supernatural as forming alliance with them was forbidden and frowned upon. Perhaps Shakespeare uses Macbeth to defy these stereotypical views to show that there is a supernatural, a more dark side in us all and it is up to our own decisions whereas we act on these impulses to do what is morally incorrect. 

If you’re studying Macbeth, you can click here to buy our full online course. Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!

You will gain access to  over 8 hours  of  engaging video content , plus  downloadable PDF guides  for  Macbeth  that cover the following topics:

• Character analysis
• Plot summaries
• Deeper themes

There are also tiered levels of analysis that allow you to study up to  GCSE ,  A Level  and  University level .

You’ll find plenty of  top level example essays  that will help you to  write your own perfect ones!

Related Posts

The Theme of Morality in To Kill A Mockingbird

Unseen Poetry Exam Practice – Spring

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Writing – PEE Breakdown

Emily Dickinson A Level Exam Questions

Poem Analysis: Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

An Inspector Calls – Official AQA Exam Questions

The Dolls House by Katherine Mansfield: Summary + Analysis

An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge: Stories of Ourselves:

How to Get Started with Narrative Writing

Robert Frost’s Life and Poetic Career

© Copyright Scrbbly 2022

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Macbeth — Ambition And Guilt In Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Ambition and Guilt in Shakespeare’s Macbeth

• Categories: Macbeth Macbeth Guilt William Shakespeare

About this sample

Words: 560 |

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 560 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 793 words

1 pages / 627 words

3 pages / 1194 words

1.5 pages / 763 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Macbeth

A. Restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points discussed in the essay. Macbeth's downfall is attributed to his ambition, moral decay, and psychological decline, leading to his tragic end.B. Final thoughts: The [...]

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2011.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2009.Bradley, A. C. 'The Witch Scenes in Macbeth.' In Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth. Macmillan, 1904.Knight, G. Wilson. 'The [...]

Macbeth, one of William Shakespeare's most renowned tragedies, delves into the intricate nuances of macbeth masculinity. Set against a backdrop of power, ambition, and betrayal, the play offers a profound exploration of how [...]

How far are you willing to go to get what you want? One of the themes in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is greed. How a humble person can turn into a savage and uncontrollable beast just for wanting more. In the play [...]

Tragedy is a serious play in which the main character is characterized to have some psychological weakness, thereby going through a series of misfortunes that lead to his destructive end. Aristotle in his Poetics posited that [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Suggestions

• Frankenstein
• The Crucible
• The Handmaid's Tale
• The Outsiders
• Things Fall Apart

Please wait while we process your payment

Reset Password

Your password reset email should arrive shortly..

If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.

Something went wrong

Log in or create account.

•   Be between 8-15 characters.
•   Contain at least one capital letter.
•   Contain at least one number.
•   Be different from your email address.

By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy .

Don’t have an account? Subscribe now

Create Your Account

Sign up for your FREE 7-day trial

• Ad-free experience
• Note-taking
• Flashcards & Quizzes
• AP® English Test Prep
• Plus much more

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Already have an account? Log in

Choose Your Plan

Group Discount

$4.99 /month + tax

$24.99 /year + tax

Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!

Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?

Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!

$24.99 $18.74   / subscription + tax

Subtotal $37.48 + tax

Save 25% on 2-49 accounts

Save 30% on 50-99 accounts

Want 100 or more? Contact us for a customized plan.

Payment Details

Payment Summary

SparkNotes Plus

 Change

You'll be billed after your free trial ends.

7-Day Free Trial

Not Applicable

Renews May 6, 2024 April 29, 2024

Discounts (applied to next billing)

SNPLUSROCKS20  |  20% Discount

This is not a valid promo code.

Discount Code (one code per order)

SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan - Group Discount

SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at [email protected] . Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.

For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!

You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.

Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.

Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.

We're sorry, we could not create your account. SparkNotes PLUS is not available in your country. See what countries we’re in.

There was an error creating your account. Please check your payment details and try again.

Your PLUS subscription has expired

• We’d love to have you back! Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools.
• Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools.
• Go ad-free AND get instant access to grade-boosting study tools!
• Start the school year strong with SparkNotes PLUS!
• Start the school year strong with PLUS!
• Study Guide
• No Fear Translation
• Mastery Quizzes
• Infographic
• Graphic Novel

William Shakespeare

Unlock your free sparknotes plus trial, unlock your free trial.

• Ad-Free experience
• Easy-to-access study notes
• AP® English test prep

A+ Student Essay: The Significance of Equivocation in Macbeth

Macbeth is a play about subterfuge and trickery. Macbeth, his wife, and the three Weird Sisters are linked in their mutual refusal to come right out and say things directly. Instead, they rely on implications, riddles, and ambiguity to evade the truth. Macbeth’s ability to manipulate his language and his public image in order to hide his foul crimes makes him a very modern-seeming politician. However, his inability to see past the witches’ equivocations—even as he utilizes the practice himself—ultimately leads to his downfall.

Sometimes, equivocations in Macbeth are meant kindly, as when Ross tries to spare Macduff’s feelings by telling him that his wife and son are “well.” Macduff initially takes this to mean that his family is alive and healthy, but Ross means that they are dead and in heaven. More often than not, though, such ambiguous statements lead to harm. The witches’ deceptive prophecies are perhaps the most destructive instances of equivocation. They tell Macbeth that he can never be harmed by anyone “of woman born,” but they neglect to tell him that Macduff was surgically removed from his mother’s womb and therefore doesn’t fall into that category. Similarly, they tell Macbeth that he can’t be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, but they don’t alert him to the possibility that the opposing army might advance on his castle under cover of branches cut from Birnam trees.

Macbeth ignores several signs that might have alerted him to the witches’ deceptive capabilities. Banquo warns Macbeth to be wary of their predictions, since evil creatures will sometimes win people’s confidence with “honest trifles”—small truths—only to betray them more deeply in the future. Indeed, the witches promise Macbeth fame and honor while withholding important information about the consequences that will follow. If Macbeth had been listening closely to the witches’ language, he might have picked up on the their potential for trickery himself. The three Weird Sisters greet Banquo with a series of riddling titles, hailing him as “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater” and “Not so happy, yet much happier.” The phrases sound like nonsense, but in reality both assertions in each statement are true. Banquo will have a lesser title than Macbeth, but is the greater (i.e., more moral) man. He will not be as fortunate as Macbeth in the short term, as he will soon be assassinated, but will ultimately be much more fortunate because he won’t be made to suffer the everlasting torments of hell. At no point do the witches lie to Macbeth—he simply hears what he wants to hear and ignores the rest.

It is ironic that Macbeth falls for the witches’ equivocations, because Macbeth and his wife are master equivocators themselves. Duncan laments that there’s no method with which one may find “the mind’s construction in the face,” meaning that it is impossible to know what a person is truly thinking just from his or her outward appearance. Lady Macbeth mimics this language when she directs her husband to look like an “innocent flower” in order to hide the “serpent” that truly lurks in his heart. The Macbeths know how to use imagery and appearance to conceal the truth, and sometimes they even use those skills on themselves. Macbeth asks the stars to extinguish their light so that his “eye” cannot see what his “hand” does. Similarly, Lady Macbeth asks the night to grow as dark as the “smoke of hell” so that her knife cannot see itself slash its victim. The Macbeths know that their acts are wicked, so they try to hide the knowledge of their deeds from their own consciousness. In a sense, they wish to equivocate to themselves.

Just before Macduff kills him, Macbeth swears that he will never again believe those “juggling fiends” that manipulate words and speak “in a double sense.” However, it’s possible that the three Weird Sisters are not “fiends,” or demons, at all, but rather agents of morality who bring Macbeth to justice by trapping him with his own tricks. The drunken porter, imagining himself the keeper of hell’s gates, pretends to admit “an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God’s sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven.” One can imagine Macbeth receiving a similar welcome from the true porter of hell’s gates.

Macbeth SparkNotes Literature Guide

Ace your assignments with our guide to Macbeth ! 

Popular pages: Macbeth

No fear macbeth no fear, full play analysis summary, character list characters, macbeth characters, themes literary devices, ambition quotes, full play quick quizzes, take a study break.

Every Literary Reference Found in Taylor Swift's Lyrics

The 7 Most Messed-Up Short Stories We All Had to Read in School

QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?

QUIZ: Which Bennet Sister Are You?

codexterous

Thoughts about teaching, literature, and teaching literature

A Macbeth Model Essay: Macbeth and Ambition

If you enjoy this blog post, then you’ll love my new book Experiencing English Literature . With dedicated chapters on teaching novels, plays and poetry as well as teaching generative writing, sentence-stems and essay structure, it is filled with actionable strategies ready for the classroom.

You can order it right now HERE !

Starting with the extract explain how Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ambitious

When considering how Shakespeare presents the character of Macbeth as ambitious one recognises this extract is a pivotal moment in the play. This is largely because the scene is the culmination of a chain of events in which Macbeth has increasingly displayed his almost aggressive ambition, leading to the murder of Banquo. Here, Macbeth is responding to the sight of Banquo at the banquet, suggestive of the violent consequences of his ambition and how it will haunt him.

One immediately notices Macbeth’s tortured declaration that seeing Banquo might ‘appal the devil’. Shakespeare establishes a tone of desperate fear as Macbeth seems to claim Banquo’s bloodied body is enough to repulse even the devil. It could also be suggested that Macbeth is referring to himself in the third person, with Shakespeare doing this to highlight Macbeth’s evil. Given Macbeth is described as aghast at the sight of Banquo, he then is the perhaps devil that would be appalled. Thus, the extract begins with Shakespeare suggesting Macbeth’s fear or even guilt as to what he has done to Banquo.

This sense of fear is then highlighted through Shakespeare’s depiction of Lady Macbeth. She begins by chastising Macbeth for being afraid of an ‘air drawn dagger’, which Shakespeare has previously used as an externalisation of the protagonist’s guilt. However, Lady Macbeth appears quite dismissive of this, suggesting it is not something of which he ought to be wary. Shakespeare’s choice of ‘air drawn’ also implies Lady Macbeth feels the dagger is simply a figment of Macbeth’s frenzied mind, which in itself augments how fearful and guilt-ridden Macbeth is. Shakespeare continues this depiction of Lady Macbeth castigating her husband when she refers to his fear as ‘flaws’. This indicates that Lady Macbeth feels Macbeth’s guilt is somehow perverse or anomalous and it detracts from his character. It is a ‘flaw’ that ought to be overcome, as indeed it is as the play continues. Shakespeare then develops this point when Lady Macbeth denigrates his concerns as ‘a woman’s story at a winter’s fire’. Here, Shakespeare is utilising typical Jacobean gender dynamics to portray Macbeth as weak by suggesting his fear is not masculine and ought to be rejected. Within the world of the play, Lady Macbeth uses this to manipulate her husband, but it again alerts the audience to his overarching emotional reaction of guilt and distress, which is itself a fitting consequence of his crimes.

In the final stanza of the extract, one gains further insight in Macbeth’s emotional state. Shakespeare’s flurry of imperatives, such as, ‘see’, ‘behold’ and ‘look’, cement a tone of urgency and anxiety, almost as though Macbeth is desperate for Lady Macbeth to sympathise with him. It also perhaps suggests a frantic attempt to regain control by issuing orders. The stanza concludes again on a note of anxiety as Macbeth wonders what might happen if ‘graves must send those we bury back’. This would be a truly terrifying thought for the far more supernaturally inclined Shakespearean audience, and indeed for a character who has just killed the king. It is interesting to note that Shakespeare personifies the graves and transforms them into an active participant: they are the ones sending the dead back, which adds to a sense that Macbeth fears those in the afterlife might seek vengeance by almost coming back to attack him. Thus, in the extract Macbeth is depicted as a guilt-ridden individual, tortured by his past deeds. This solidifies the overarching purpose of the extract: to dramatize the consequences of committing regicide and transgressing one’s station in life, in this case, guilt and extreme distress.

Whilst this is certainly a crucial extract when considering how Shakespeare presents Macbeth there are other, equally important, moments. One might think, for instance, of the complete contrast to this scene at the start of the play. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ‘brave’ and ‘valiant’, even describing him as ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’. This latter image highlights the way in which Macbeth’s character is inextricably linked to war and violence – he is married to the deified version of war. Indeed, Shakespeare’s use of plosive sounds only reinforce a sense of power and aggression. However, this is no bad thing since it is done out of loyalty and in service of the King, as indicated by the positive connotations of ‘valiant’ and the fact that both Duncan and the soldier celebrate his feats of strength, such as, the way in which he ‘unseem’d him from the nave to the chaps’. Indeed, this image is a visceral and bloody evocation of Macbeth’s prowess.  This is a far cry from the guilt-ridden and conflicted character one sees in the extract, perhaps suggesting that Macbeth’s fatal mistake was to transgress his natural station in life, with this being something Shakespeare is warning against. Thus, Shakespeare uses Macbeth as a vehicle through which to warn against excessive ambition and his willingness to upturn the Great Chain of Being. 

At various points in the play, Shakespeare further presses upon this fatal flaw, a typical feature of the tragic genre. Upon seeing the witches for the first time, for example, he is described as being ‘rapt withal’. Shakespeare’s adjective ‘rapt’ highlights the way in which Macbeth is instantly captivated and indeed corrupted by his ambition. He is enthralled and so, unlike Banquo, cannot see the witches for what they are. As the play continues, Macbeth’s ‘vaulting ambition’ grows until it ‘o’erleaps itself’. The verb ‘vaulting’ especially compounds this intemperate ambition since it is richly suggestive of power and aggression: if one vaults over something one leaps strongly, which indicates the desperation Macbeth feels to be King. This image is also reminiscent of the Great Chain of Being and Macbeth’s willingness to ‘o’erleap’ his natural position in the hierarchy of life, with the result of this being the eventual death of Duncan, the paragon of virtue. Thus, Shakespeare again warns the audience of the consequences of Macbeth’s fatal flaw.

The denouement of the play reveals a potentially very different side to Macbeth. His fight with Macduff, despite knowing it would end in failure, could be read in two ways. From a Shakespearean point of view, it perhaps represents a restoration of courage, but from a modern perspective one could read it as the last gasp of a broken mind. Either way, the final moments highlight Macbeth’s return to his previous bellicose nature and, if pursuing the Shakespearean interpretation, this is suggestive of the idea that Macbeth would have been better served had he never transgressed his station in life. The pain he feels in the extract and the destruction he causes throughout the play is clearly a product of this initial error, which stems from his fatal flaw of excessive ambition.

Fundamentally, then, Shakespeare uses Macbeth’s character as a way in which to warn the audience against excessive ambition and the consequences of disrupting the Great Chain of Being. In this manner, the play is didactic, with a clear moral message being articulated to the audience. Macbeth’s character arc from ‘valiant’ to ‘hell hound’ highlights the damning repercussions of subverting the entrenched social order of Jacobean England, thus functioning as a deterrent to the audience.

The essay structure used to write this essay can be found below :

Share this:

One thought on “ a macbeth model essay: macbeth and ambition ”.

• Pingback: All About Writing: Rehearsing, Scaffolding and Modelling High Quality Analysis – codexterous

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Blog at WordPress.com.

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Macduff’s Murder in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

This essay about Macbeth’s decision to kill Macduff’s family examines the complex motivations behind this pivotal act in Shakespeare’s play. Macbeth, initially a valiant soldier, is driven by the witches’ prophecies and his own ambition for power. Once he becomes king, his growing paranoia and insecurity about maintaining power lead him to increasingly tyrannical actions. The murder of Macduff’s family is motivated by fear of losing his throne, especially after learning of Macduff’s alliance with Malcolm in England. This act of violence is intended to consolidate power and intimidate his enemies, but it ultimately highlights Macbeth’s moral decline and psychological unraveling. The essay explores how this brutal decision not only catalyzes his downfall but also emphasizes the play’s themes of ambition, power, and guilt.

How it works

In the tragic drama “Macbeth” penned by William Shakespeare, the fateful choice of the eponymous character to slay Macduff’s kin holds profound significance, emblematic of the profound moral erosion and desperate autocracy marking Macbeth’s reign. To dissect the rationale behind Macbeth’s commission of such a heinous deed, it becomes imperative to delve into the intricate interplay of fear, ambition, and manipulation, alongside the sway of prophecy and the psychological unraveling propelling Macbeth’s trajectory throughout the narrative.

Initially portrayed as a gallant warrior with a semblance of moral rectitude, Macbeth undergoes a transformation upon encountering the prophetic utterances of the witches.

Their foretelling of his ascension to kingship ignites a dormant yearning for supremacy, yet it is Lady Macbeth’s relentless incitement that goads him to action. Following the regicide of King Duncan and the usurpation of the throne, Macbeth finds himself ensnared in a labyrinth of insecurity and paranoia concerning the preservation of his dominion.

The decision to exterminate Macduff’s progeny is principally driven by trepidation and the hunger for dominion. In Act 4, Scene 1, the apparitions summoned by the witches deliver ominous messages, warning Macbeth to “beware Macduff” and foretelling that “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” Despite his initial resolve to exercise caution, the second prophecy imbues him with a false sense of invulnerability. However, the third apparition, depicting a crowned child bearing a bough, rattles Macbeth, predicting his downfall only when Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill.

Despite these auguries, Macbeth’s dread of losing his grip on power escalates upon learning of Macduff’s alliance with Malcolm, Duncan’s legitimate heir, in England. Interpreting this as a direct challenge to his sovereignty and an act of defiance warranting suppression, Macbeth rashly decrees the slaughter of Macduff’s kin, seeking to eradicate any threats stemming from Macduff’s lineage and to send a stark admonition to his adversaries.

Furthermore, the massacre of Macduff’s household marks a moral nadir from which there is no redemption. By targeting the blameless—Macduff’s spouse, offspring, and attendants—Macbeth plunges into the abyss of despotism. This barbarous act is intended to instill dread among potential dissenters and consolidate his tyranny through coercion. However, this draconian stratagem backfires, inciting opposition and eroding any vestiges of loyalty or sympathy among his subjects.

In a broader thematic context, Macbeth’s slaughter of Macduff’s family underscores the play’s exploration of culpability and autocracy. Shakespeare delineates Macbeth’s descent into lunacy, propelled by the carnage he deems requisite for maintaining his supremacy. Each atrocity perpetrated by Macbeth isolates him further and exacerbates his paranoia, underscoring the pernicious ramifications of unchecked ambition and authority.

In summation, Macbeth’s choice to annihilate Macduff’s kin constitutes a labyrinthine nexus of fear, ambition, and despotism, propelled by prophetic dicta and psychological degeneration. This deed serves as a pivotal juncture in the drama, delineating Macbeth’s ultimate moral degradation and the tragic fallout of his tyranny, while reinforcing the central motifs of dominion, culpability, and destiny crucial to comprehending Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”

Cite this page

Macduff's Murder In Macbeth By William Shakespeare. (2024, Apr 29). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/macduffs-murder-in-macbeth-by-william-shakespeare/

"Macduff's Murder In Macbeth By William Shakespeare." PapersOwl.com , 29 Apr 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/macduffs-murder-in-macbeth-by-william-shakespeare/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Macduff's Murder In Macbeth By William Shakespeare . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/macduffs-murder-in-macbeth-by-william-shakespeare/ [Accessed: 30 Apr. 2024]

"Macduff's Murder In Macbeth By William Shakespeare." PapersOwl.com, Apr 29, 2024. Accessed April 30, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/macduffs-murder-in-macbeth-by-william-shakespeare/

"Macduff's Murder In Macbeth By William Shakespeare," PapersOwl.com , 29-Apr-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/macduffs-murder-in-macbeth-by-william-shakespeare/. [Accessed: 30-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Macduff's Murder In Macbeth By William Shakespeare . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/macduffs-murder-in-macbeth-by-william-shakespeare/ [Accessed: 30-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

How Does Macbeth Have A Disturbed Mind

The fascinating play Macbeth explores the dark corners of the disturbed mind. Through his journey into paranoia, guilt, and hallucinations, Macbeth represents a damaged mind and eventually shows the devastating effects of reckless desire and the loss of one's sanity. Macbeth becomes obsessed with the deeds of crime; this awareness of his shame does not stop him from carrying out violent actions. Shakespeare portrays Macbeth’s unraveling mental state, offering insights into the human condition and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Macbeth’s persistent thirst for power and his readiness to stop at nothing to become king are unmistakable signs of mental instability. His desire overcomes his moral senses, sending him down a depressing and …show more content…

Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye winks at the hand, yet let that be which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (A1,S4,L51-54). This draws attention to the darkness that creeps into his thoughts to the point where he will do anything in his power to get what he wants or be king while everyone praises him. In the article “The Power of the Dark Side: Personality, the Dark Triad, and Political Ambition, the author states that” examinations of narcissism have identified that individuals high on this trait not only seek to be in leadership roles but are generally rated positively by others.” (Scott Pruysers). Scott’s statements show that his deranged mentality is demonstrated by his quest for power, which includes his willingness to kill and betray others. His obsession with becoming king causes him to lose sight of morality, which sends him down an insane path. Throughout the play, Macbeth’s disturbed mind starts with hallucinations, one of which Macbeth mentions, “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch …show more content…

In Act 5, Macbeth remarks, “She should have died hereafter. There would have been time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, a brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player.” (A5,S5,L17) Macbeth has lost touch with his normal emotions because he is so preoccupied with his own ambition and remorse. The depth of his damaged mentality is revealed by his lack of empathy and indifference to his wife's passing. It's a tragic example of how shame and power may invade a person's body. Macbeth has ended up with a completely disturbed mind and now, as a result, throws away everything he cares about to only put himself on top and get rid of others and people in his way. Overall, Macbeth’s journey through the play goes from starting as a noble warrior to a disturbed mind. Through his actions of sanity and the intensity of his inner struggle through his deeds, speeches, and encounters with other characters, the play explores the psychological effects of uncontrolled desire, remorse, and the toll it takes on a

More about How Does Macbeth Have A Disturbed Mind