Task- Characterize the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. If the main theme of the play is ambition, whose ambition is the driving force of the play- Macbeth, Lady Macbeth or both? The essay must be 500-1000 words.
According to my understanding of the play, I feel it is Lady Macbeth’s ambition that drives the play forward. In the beginning of the play, it seems that Macbeth is a weak man odalisque to a cold hearted woman who manipulates him to her benefit. However, as we read on we realise that their relationships is atypical and quite paradoxical for their time, despite their ambitions, they seem to be very much in love. Their want to see the other in wealth and power ruins them.
Though they were partners in the murder of their …show more content…
Though Macbeth already thinks of murdering his king, it is highly unlikely that he would have committed a murder whose very thought frightens him, if it weren’t for his wife’s constant questioning and inciting. His visions and hallucinations make it clear that it is her ambition driving him forward as they are proof of his self-doubt and guilt. The hallucinations of the dagger afloat with blood on its hilt, the paracusia of “Macbeth does murder sleep, Macbeth shall sleep no more” and his inability to say Amen are all symbols of his guilt.
After the first murder, Lady Macbeth’s ambition seems to fade and Macbeths focal point changes. His ambition is now aimed at keeping the world from learning of his sin; He is willing to do anything, including further stain his conscience by committing and ordering executions. Ironically if it weren’t for the murder of Banquo, no one would have truly suspected Macbeth’s crime as …show more content…
He then sees Banquo as a threat to the throne. More than ambition it seems to be his fear of being punished for killing his king. To protect the secret he kills-directly or indirectly- Banquo, Lady Macduff, Macduff’s son and Young Siward. After committing the crime he feels that there is no path that he could follow that would remove him from the blood stained mess.
Macbeth proved that he could be a man by killing. All he did eventually lead to the death of his love, Lady Macbeth, the original reason he felt the need to prove himself. Love is a strange thing worth some insanity. Macbeth’s conscience eventually lead to his tragic end, but, can we not also blame it on his love?
Ambition can be inspiring, too much ambition, however may lead you to the precipice. The ideal amount of Ambition is hard to define. A balance must be struck between the moral strength and weakness. It must be enough to drive you forward in life but not so much that you would be driven to kill your king to take his place as ruler of Scotland or pour poison in King Hamlet’s ears while he is
According to my understanding of the play, I feel it is Lady Macbeth’s ambition that drives the play forward. In the beginning of the play, it seems that Macbeth is a weak man odalisque to a cold hearted woman who manipulates him to her benefit. However, as we read on we realise that their relationships is atypical and quite paradoxical for their time, despite their ambitions, they seem to be very much in love. Their want to see the other in wealth and power ruins them.
Though they were partners in the murder of their …show more content…
Though Macbeth already thinks of murdering his king, it is highly unlikely that he would have committed a murder whose very thought frightens him, if it weren’t for his wife’s constant questioning and inciting. His visions and hallucinations make it clear that it is her ambition driving him forward as they are proof of his self-doubt and guilt. The hallucinations of the dagger afloat with blood on its hilt, the paracusia of “Macbeth does murder sleep, Macbeth shall sleep no more” and his inability to say Amen are all symbols of his guilt.
After the first murder, Lady Macbeth’s ambition seems to fade and Macbeths focal point changes. His ambition is now aimed at keeping the world from learning of his sin; He is willing to do anything, including further stain his conscience by committing and ordering executions. Ironically if it weren’t for the murder of Banquo, no one would have truly suspected Macbeth’s crime as …show more content…
He then sees Banquo as a threat to the throne. More than ambition it seems to be his fear of being punished for killing his king. To protect the secret he kills-directly or indirectly- Banquo, Lady Macduff, Macduff’s son and Young Siward. After committing the crime he feels that there is no path that he could follow that would remove him from the blood stained mess.
Macbeth proved that he could be a man by killing. All he did eventually lead to the death of his love, Lady Macbeth, the original reason he felt the need to prove himself. Love is a strange thing worth some insanity. Macbeth’s conscience eventually lead to his tragic end, but, can we not also blame it on his love?
Ambition can be inspiring, too much ambition, however may lead you to the precipice. The ideal amount of Ambition is hard to define. A balance must be struck between the moral strength and weakness. It must be enough to drive you forward in life but not so much that you would be driven to kill your king to take his place as ruler of Scotland or pour poison in King Hamlet’s ears while he is