Ambition and Destruction in Macbeth
It is normal to think that ambition is a positive trait and it is something that people aspire to have, but too much can cause people to not think about their actions. This is definitely the case in Shakespeare 's play Macbeth. Macbeth shows that too much ambition can be negative. In addition he becomes disloyal and shows signs of betrayal. Furthermore, the damage he causes ultimately leads to the downfall of Scotland. Macbeth, from Shakespeare 's Macbeth, demonstrates through his downfall that often overwhelming ambition leads to disloyalty ultimately resulting in destruction.
Firstly, although ambition is usually considered to be a positive, the character Macbeth illustrates that too much ambition …show more content…
Firstly, Macbeth’s ambition causes him to be disloyal to his cousin and king. Macbeth’s initial thought after finding out that he could be king is murder: “My thought,whose murder yet is fantastical, shakes so my single state of man. That function is smothered in surmise, and nothing is but what is not” (1.3, 138-141). Alone Macbeth considers the possibility of the witches prophecy to be true, but realizes he will have to murder king Duncan. After finding out he could be king he first thinks he will have to murder to achieve that. His desire to become king is more powerful than his loyalty to his king. In addition, Macbeth betrays his friend Banquo by killing him. Macbeth fears Banquo knows too much and feels it would be best to kill him: “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared” (3.1, 49-53). he fears Banquo 's nobility and puts his owns wants and needs in front of his best friends life. Macbeth needs to feel secure and believes being king doesn 't matter until he is safely the king and there is nothing standing in his way. As well, Macbeth is disloyal to women and children when as a noble he would have vowed to protect them. Macbeth has murderers attempt to kill lady Macduff and Macduff’s son. When murders attack, Macduff 's son cries “He has kill’d me mother, run away, I pray …show more content…
Similarly, the destruction Macbeth causes ultimately leads to personal suffering and sadness. Before his final battle, Macbeth states that he is sick with pain and this battle may be his last: “Seyton!-I am sick at heart, when I behold-Seyton I say!-this push will cheer me ever or disseat me now” (5.3, 19-21). He says his heart is saddened and in pain and this shows that what he did caused personal suffering along with causing others anguish. His unchecked ambition leads to widespread destruction. In addition, Macbeth starts to regret all he has done to become king and all the damage he has caused. When he realizes he cannot win the battle, he states, “They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly, But bear-like I must fight the course” (5.7, 1-2). Macbeth knows that he will be defeated and regrets what he has done to end up in the position he is in. However, Macbeth 's downfall and defeat leads to change in Scotland at that time. Malcolm states there will be changes that will be for the better in Scotland: “In such an honour nam’d. What 's more to do Which would be planted newly with the time” (5.9, 31-32). After all that Macbeth has done, Malcolm plans on rebuilding Scotland and starting a new era by changing the country, and in doing that he would make it more like England. Macbeth’s end ultimately led to a new beginning for
It is normal to think that ambition is a positive trait and it is something that people aspire to have, but too much can cause people to not think about their actions. This is definitely the case in Shakespeare 's play Macbeth. Macbeth shows that too much ambition can be negative. In addition he becomes disloyal and shows signs of betrayal. Furthermore, the damage he causes ultimately leads to the downfall of Scotland. Macbeth, from Shakespeare 's Macbeth, demonstrates through his downfall that often overwhelming ambition leads to disloyalty ultimately resulting in destruction.
Firstly, although ambition is usually considered to be a positive, the character Macbeth illustrates that too much ambition …show more content…
Firstly, Macbeth’s ambition causes him to be disloyal to his cousin and king. Macbeth’s initial thought after finding out that he could be king is murder: “My thought,whose murder yet is fantastical, shakes so my single state of man. That function is smothered in surmise, and nothing is but what is not” (1.3, 138-141). Alone Macbeth considers the possibility of the witches prophecy to be true, but realizes he will have to murder king Duncan. After finding out he could be king he first thinks he will have to murder to achieve that. His desire to become king is more powerful than his loyalty to his king. In addition, Macbeth betrays his friend Banquo by killing him. Macbeth fears Banquo knows too much and feels it would be best to kill him: “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared” (3.1, 49-53). he fears Banquo 's nobility and puts his owns wants and needs in front of his best friends life. Macbeth needs to feel secure and believes being king doesn 't matter until he is safely the king and there is nothing standing in his way. As well, Macbeth is disloyal to women and children when as a noble he would have vowed to protect them. Macbeth has murderers attempt to kill lady Macduff and Macduff’s son. When murders attack, Macduff 's son cries “He has kill’d me mother, run away, I pray …show more content…
Similarly, the destruction Macbeth causes ultimately leads to personal suffering and sadness. Before his final battle, Macbeth states that he is sick with pain and this battle may be his last: “Seyton!-I am sick at heart, when I behold-Seyton I say!-this push will cheer me ever or disseat me now” (5.3, 19-21). He says his heart is saddened and in pain and this shows that what he did caused personal suffering along with causing others anguish. His unchecked ambition leads to widespread destruction. In addition, Macbeth starts to regret all he has done to become king and all the damage he has caused. When he realizes he cannot win the battle, he states, “They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly, But bear-like I must fight the course” (5.7, 1-2). Macbeth knows that he will be defeated and regrets what he has done to end up in the position he is in. However, Macbeth 's downfall and defeat leads to change in Scotland at that time. Malcolm states there will be changes that will be for the better in Scotland: “In such an honour nam’d. What 's more to do Which would be planted newly with the time” (5.9, 31-32). After all that Macbeth has done, Malcolm plans on rebuilding Scotland and starting a new era by changing the country, and in doing that he would make it more like England. Macbeth’s end ultimately led to a new beginning for