Ambition is most commonly described as an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honour, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment. Ambition, in appropriate amounts, is great for providing the inspiration and incentive to seek opportunities to achieve more. In Shakespeare 's Macbeth it is no different. It is one of the most recognizable themes throughout the play; central to the play 's plot structure, character development, and events. However, it takes on a much darker side when corrupt greed and temptation are thrown into the equation, greatly twisting both the Macbeths ' judgment and morals. It leads them to be the progenitors of their eventual self destruction, responsible for all
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She proclaims this moments after reading Macbeth 's letter and seeing the King would visit: "yet I do fear thy nature;/It is to full o ' the milk of human kindness/to catch the nearest way" (I.v.15-17). She knows the most direct path to the throne is murder and that Macbeth would shy away from the idea. Macbeth never mentioned or hinted at some darker method to become a usurper for the throne. Lady Macbeth 's flaw in character, her ambition, was the root of her evil thoughts. Lady Macbeth 's manipulative nature comes into play as she decides he is too compassionate, and thus not manly enough on his own for the job. She switches the good trait from a compliment to an …show more content…
True ambition is a virtue that leads man to great things. However, ambition ruled by ulterior motives becomes a vice that eventually leads man to destructive acts. The Macbeths ' downfall and final destruction was the result of their vaulting ambition which forced them to kill their friends, commit the act of regicide, and eventually drove him into madness. Too much ambition made them blind to future consequences of whatever they did, focusing only on their prize. It shifted their views to little else besides winning. It snuffed out reasonable outcomes, leaving only the ridiculous and unattainable options. Any less was
She proclaims this moments after reading Macbeth 's letter and seeing the King would visit: "yet I do fear thy nature;/It is to full o ' the milk of human kindness/to catch the nearest way" (I.v.15-17). She knows the most direct path to the throne is murder and that Macbeth would shy away from the idea. Macbeth never mentioned or hinted at some darker method to become a usurper for the throne. Lady Macbeth 's flaw in character, her ambition, was the root of her evil thoughts. Lady Macbeth 's manipulative nature comes into play as she decides he is too compassionate, and thus not manly enough on his own for the job. She switches the good trait from a compliment to an …show more content…
True ambition is a virtue that leads man to great things. However, ambition ruled by ulterior motives becomes a vice that eventually leads man to destructive acts. The Macbeths ' downfall and final destruction was the result of their vaulting ambition which forced them to kill their friends, commit the act of regicide, and eventually drove him into madness. Too much ambition made them blind to future consequences of whatever they did, focusing only on their prize. It shifted their views to little else besides winning. It snuffed out reasonable outcomes, leaving only the ridiculous and unattainable options. Any less was