Macbeth Unchecked Ambition

Ambition is a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. This is an awesome quality to have, but what happens when it becomes unchecked? Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Macbeth does a great job of showing the consequences of unchecked ambition. The Tragedy of Macbeth is about a man named Macbeth, who is told by three witches that he is destined for the thrown. Being told this, Macbeth is hesitant, but after telling his wife Lady Macbeth, he feels as if the witches were right. The only thing holding him back was King Duncan. Through out the play Macbeth struggles with his ambition and listening to his wife who keeps telling him that killing King Duncan is the only way to get the power he wants, or listening to his heart which is telling him that this action is …show more content…
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." (IV.IV.19-28)

This soliloquy is perfect for showing the repercussions of unchecked ambition. Macbeth has put so much energy and time into becoming as powerful as he possibly can only to lead him to feel miserable, unfulfilled, and as if his life no longer has any purpose. Another soliloquy that displays unchecked ambition is also by Macbeth. "Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be /What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature; /It is too full o' the milk of human kindness /To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; /Art not without ambition, but without. /The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly, /That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, /And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'ldst have, great Glamis"