Ambition is considered a virtue, but can become a fatal flaw if one achieves it immorally. Shakespeare’s Macbeth looks at a man whose own demise is empowered by ignorance, uneasiness, and selfishness. Macbeth’s ignorance of the impact of his decisions, his uneasiness towards his hierarchy, and his selfishness for all that he attains is what inevitably leads to his tragic downfall. Macbeth exemplifies the idea that vaulting ambition is the root of one’s moral deterioration and ultimate destruction. This is illustrated through Macbeth’s loss of guilt and conscience, growing paranoia, and his strong greed for power. With his ambition empowering him, Macbeth’s conscience and remorse for his actions slowly begins to dissipate to the point where
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The way Macbeth claimed his title, lends itself to constant suspicion and apprehension. Macbeth begins to develop insecurities, about his role within the kingdom and those around him. Macbeth highlights his fears in Banquo when he says, “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared,” (3.1 50-54). Macbeth is intimidated by Banquo because of his nobility, something he loses royally when he acts on his spiraling ambition. Macbeth’s fear stems from the fact that he knows that he did not earn the title himself, but killed for it. He messed with fate and now worries that someone will come and steal it from under him. A juxtaposition forms between Macbeth and Banquo, Macbeth acknowledges that Banquo isn’t noble by title but by mindset, whereas Macbeth is king by title, but fails to fulfill his title. Indirectly Macbeth confesses his suspicions as to what type of king he is by comparing himself to someone who he knows would justly fit the role. Acting on his fears and desire, Macbeth plans to kill Banquo, and states that, “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill” (3.2 57). Macbeth gets rid of insecurities by eliminating the people who cause them, as shown by the plot to kill Banquo. He has a sense of entitlement, and feels justification in the fact that murdering Duncan is forcing him to do bad deeds. It’s …show more content…
His secret desires are spiked when he encounters the three witches: “All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter” (1.3 51). After hearing this piece of information he becomes curious, and infatuated, he commands the witches to tell him more. He seems perplexed at being named thane of Cawdor and being told he will be King, but appears to be very content with their predictions. The witches’ prophecies represent temptation; whereby Macbeth is enticed by power, success and kingship. Macbeth’s turning point in the play, occurs when he no longer has malicious thoughts, but is tempted to act upon them, “Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter the Prince of Cumberland,” (1.4.39-40). It is when King Duncan’s son is appointed as the King, that Macbeth’s greed skyrockets - seeing that Malcolm will be next in line solidifies his aspirations. The witches’ prophecies have already been fulfilled in the sense that Macbeth has been named thane of Cawdor, but in Macbeth’s eyes it means he must fulfill the other role of being King. This sets Macbeth up for the rest of the play, as the ambition to become king is not only what initiates Macbeth’s tragic downfall, but adds to his growing taste for
The way Macbeth claimed his title, lends itself to constant suspicion and apprehension. Macbeth begins to develop insecurities, about his role within the kingdom and those around him. Macbeth highlights his fears in Banquo when he says, “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared,” (3.1 50-54). Macbeth is intimidated by Banquo because of his nobility, something he loses royally when he acts on his spiraling ambition. Macbeth’s fear stems from the fact that he knows that he did not earn the title himself, but killed for it. He messed with fate and now worries that someone will come and steal it from under him. A juxtaposition forms between Macbeth and Banquo, Macbeth acknowledges that Banquo isn’t noble by title but by mindset, whereas Macbeth is king by title, but fails to fulfill his title. Indirectly Macbeth confesses his suspicions as to what type of king he is by comparing himself to someone who he knows would justly fit the role. Acting on his fears and desire, Macbeth plans to kill Banquo, and states that, “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill” (3.2 57). Macbeth gets rid of insecurities by eliminating the people who cause them, as shown by the plot to kill Banquo. He has a sense of entitlement, and feels justification in the fact that murdering Duncan is forcing him to do bad deeds. It’s …show more content…
His secret desires are spiked when he encounters the three witches: “All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter” (1.3 51). After hearing this piece of information he becomes curious, and infatuated, he commands the witches to tell him more. He seems perplexed at being named thane of Cawdor and being told he will be King, but appears to be very content with their predictions. The witches’ prophecies represent temptation; whereby Macbeth is enticed by power, success and kingship. Macbeth’s turning point in the play, occurs when he no longer has malicious thoughts, but is tempted to act upon them, “Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter the Prince of Cumberland,” (1.4.39-40). It is when King Duncan’s son is appointed as the King, that Macbeth’s greed skyrockets - seeing that Malcolm will be next in line solidifies his aspirations. The witches’ prophecies have already been fulfilled in the sense that Macbeth has been named thane of Cawdor, but in Macbeth’s eyes it means he must fulfill the other role of being King. This sets Macbeth up for the rest of the play, as the ambition to become king is not only what initiates Macbeth’s tragic downfall, but adds to his growing taste for