Written in 1606, Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies and it is considered to be one of his most darkest and powerful works. Shakespeare’s Macbeth outlines and explores the consequences of selfish ambition and deception. The ambitions of various characters throughout the play are key contributing factors as to why the tragedy in Macbeth unfolds. These characters include the original Thane of Cawdor, Lady Macbeth and the protagonist of the play, Macbeth. The original Thane of Cawdor’s ambition to gain more power subsequently results in his execution by King Duncan–it is here that Macbeth assumes thaneship of Cawdor and begins fulfilling the witches’ prophesy. Consequently, Lady Macbeth’s ambition for husband to become
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Macbeth’s ambition alone clearly does not drive him enough to commit the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth has great ambitions for her husband and manipulates him to “Look like th ' innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (1.5.63-64) as she considers him to be “the milk of human kindness” (1.5.15). It is here that, Lady Macbeth recognises that her husband is too kind natured to commit the murder of Duncan even though he has a desire for the throne. As a consequence of this, she chides, suggesting that he is a coward and a husband who disregards his wife. The persuasion of Lady Macbeth leads to Macbeth finally agreeing to murder King Duncan. The relationship of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth changes constantly due to ambition, and begins with Lady Macbeth being able to dominate and have influence of his thoughts and actions to Macbeth transforming into a man who becomes accustomed to killing others due to his ambition to remain King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth’s ambition for her husband is one of the major reasons as to why the tragedy unfolds. If Lady Macbeth was not affiliated in the play, Macbeth would not have been influenced to an extent were he would murder his friend and King. As a result, if Lady Macbeth’s manipulative actions and ambition for her husband to become King is a major reason as to why …show more content…
His ambition to become powerful and hence King of Scotland is the driving force of this tragedy. His ambition was spurred on not only from his wife but also from the three witches who informed him about the prophecy where he is able to become King and this eventually leads to the tragedy. His ambition leads him to kill countless innocent souls such as his best friend, Banquo, servants, King Duncan and MacDuff’s family. He even goes as far to kill Banquo’s son, Fleance in fear that “No son of [his] succeeding. If ’t be so, for Banquo’s issue have filed [his] mind; for them the gracious Duncan [has Macbeth] murdered” (3.1.65-67). Macbeth is originally seen as kind character but after continuous manipulation from his wife, his fluctuations between right and wrong are centred into completing one deed, which is to remain King of Scotland. He even explains to that “if chance will have [him] king, why chance may crown [him] without [his] stir” (1.3.143-144). If Macbeth had remained in this state of mind and not allowed his wife and his ambition influence him, the tragedy could have been prevented. However, due to his ambition, Macbeth causes repeated bloodshed and his quest for power only grows stronger. It shows, that ambition spurred for the wrong means can cause disaster in the end as it does in
Macbeth’s ambition alone clearly does not drive him enough to commit the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth has great ambitions for her husband and manipulates him to “Look like th ' innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (1.5.63-64) as she considers him to be “the milk of human kindness” (1.5.15). It is here that, Lady Macbeth recognises that her husband is too kind natured to commit the murder of Duncan even though he has a desire for the throne. As a consequence of this, she chides, suggesting that he is a coward and a husband who disregards his wife. The persuasion of Lady Macbeth leads to Macbeth finally agreeing to murder King Duncan. The relationship of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth changes constantly due to ambition, and begins with Lady Macbeth being able to dominate and have influence of his thoughts and actions to Macbeth transforming into a man who becomes accustomed to killing others due to his ambition to remain King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth’s ambition for her husband is one of the major reasons as to why the tragedy unfolds. If Lady Macbeth was not affiliated in the play, Macbeth would not have been influenced to an extent were he would murder his friend and King. As a result, if Lady Macbeth’s manipulative actions and ambition for her husband to become King is a major reason as to why …show more content…
His ambition to become powerful and hence King of Scotland is the driving force of this tragedy. His ambition was spurred on not only from his wife but also from the three witches who informed him about the prophecy where he is able to become King and this eventually leads to the tragedy. His ambition leads him to kill countless innocent souls such as his best friend, Banquo, servants, King Duncan and MacDuff’s family. He even goes as far to kill Banquo’s son, Fleance in fear that “No son of [his] succeeding. If ’t be so, for Banquo’s issue have filed [his] mind; for them the gracious Duncan [has Macbeth] murdered” (3.1.65-67). Macbeth is originally seen as kind character but after continuous manipulation from his wife, his fluctuations between right and wrong are centred into completing one deed, which is to remain King of Scotland. He even explains to that “if chance will have [him] king, why chance may crown [him] without [his] stir” (1.3.143-144). If Macbeth had remained in this state of mind and not allowed his wife and his ambition influence him, the tragedy could have been prevented. However, due to his ambition, Macbeth causes repeated bloodshed and his quest for power only grows stronger. It shows, that ambition spurred for the wrong means can cause disaster in the end as it does in