Shadi Kamaei
Margaret Di Marco
ENG 3U1-07
December 4, 2016
Macbeth gains his position as king because of his ambition. He had greed as a motivator and as a result of this Macbeth has lost all sense of morality, and humanism. So, ambition, like greed has destroyed Macbeth. This is a result of his internal conflicts, as shown by examining how Macbeths ambition has lead him to murder king Duncan, commit several other murders, and is so powerful as to override his guilt. The translation of internal conflicts into external conflicts in Macbeth is evident by examining how his ambition leads him to kill King Duncan. Macbeth is an extremely ambitious character and due to his internal ambitions, he is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his …show more content…
Although he doubts them at first, however once he was promoted to thane of Cawdor he realizes that the witches prophecy could come to fruition. The witches influenced Macbeth by telling him that he was going to become king as shown when the third witch says, “All hail, macbeth that shalt be king hereafter!” - (act 1, scene 3, line 51) This scene incites his ambition to overcome his loyalty to the king which results in an external advancement of the plot of the play. While he did imagine the murder in his mind he rejects it by stating, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir," - (Act 1, scene 3, line 147-150). In this quote Macbeth is stating that fate will make him king if that is meant to be, and he won’t have to impose. Although Macbeth is still resistant towards the prospect of becoming king, Lady Macbeth also incites his ambitions by emasculating him, “When you durst do it, then you were a man” (Act 1, scene 7, line 49). In this line she challenges his masculinity and provokes his inner desire to fulfill the prophecy. …show more content…
He is worried about the security of his power which is evident when he states, ‘to be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.’ (Macbeth, Act 3, scene 1, line 49-50) Macbeth acknowledges that being king is nothing unless he is safe doing so. His guilt is constantly undermining his ambition because he knows he broke the cycle of nature. He was not meant to be king but forced it. “Put rancours in the vessel of my peace, only for them; and mine eternal jewel, Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!” (Act 3, scene 1, line 70) He is explaining that he has ruined his own peace for their benefit that he has handed over his everlasting soul to the devil so that Banquo’s sons could be kings. His refusal to accept that he will never be at peace and that his guilt is for the benefit of the future kings incites him to try and keep his power. This demonstrates his refusal to admit his wrongdoings and his mistakes. In reality he is more concerned that his actions didn’t secure his power rather than guilt over the crimes he committed. Later in the play, Macbeth’s men leave his side to join Malcolm, Macduff, and the English army. Even when Macbeth realizes that his Life is coming to a close, he still will not admit to his wrong doings. Notably, Macbeth has betrayed his own sense of integrity by resolving to continue to fight to the end. This emphasizes
Margaret Di Marco
ENG 3U1-07
December 4, 2016
Macbeth gains his position as king because of his ambition. He had greed as a motivator and as a result of this Macbeth has lost all sense of morality, and humanism. So, ambition, like greed has destroyed Macbeth. This is a result of his internal conflicts, as shown by examining how Macbeths ambition has lead him to murder king Duncan, commit several other murders, and is so powerful as to override his guilt. The translation of internal conflicts into external conflicts in Macbeth is evident by examining how his ambition leads him to kill King Duncan. Macbeth is an extremely ambitious character and due to his internal ambitions, he is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his …show more content…
Although he doubts them at first, however once he was promoted to thane of Cawdor he realizes that the witches prophecy could come to fruition. The witches influenced Macbeth by telling him that he was going to become king as shown when the third witch says, “All hail, macbeth that shalt be king hereafter!” - (act 1, scene 3, line 51) This scene incites his ambition to overcome his loyalty to the king which results in an external advancement of the plot of the play. While he did imagine the murder in his mind he rejects it by stating, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir," - (Act 1, scene 3, line 147-150). In this quote Macbeth is stating that fate will make him king if that is meant to be, and he won’t have to impose. Although Macbeth is still resistant towards the prospect of becoming king, Lady Macbeth also incites his ambitions by emasculating him, “When you durst do it, then you were a man” (Act 1, scene 7, line 49). In this line she challenges his masculinity and provokes his inner desire to fulfill the prophecy. …show more content…
He is worried about the security of his power which is evident when he states, ‘to be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.’ (Macbeth, Act 3, scene 1, line 49-50) Macbeth acknowledges that being king is nothing unless he is safe doing so. His guilt is constantly undermining his ambition because he knows he broke the cycle of nature. He was not meant to be king but forced it. “Put rancours in the vessel of my peace, only for them; and mine eternal jewel, Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!” (Act 3, scene 1, line 70) He is explaining that he has ruined his own peace for their benefit that he has handed over his everlasting soul to the devil so that Banquo’s sons could be kings. His refusal to accept that he will never be at peace and that his guilt is for the benefit of the future kings incites him to try and keep his power. This demonstrates his refusal to admit his wrongdoings and his mistakes. In reality he is more concerned that his actions didn’t secure his power rather than guilt over the crimes he committed. Later in the play, Macbeth’s men leave his side to join Malcolm, Macduff, and the English army. Even when Macbeth realizes that his Life is coming to a close, he still will not admit to his wrong doings. Notably, Macbeth has betrayed his own sense of integrity by resolving to continue to fight to the end. This emphasizes