Macbeth And Ambition In Macbeth

One may try and argue that Lady Macbeth or ambition drove Macbeth to commit his murderous acts to become king, but they are missing out on the main catalysts of everyone’s actions including Macbeth; the witches. Without these three demonic figures, Macbeth would be a history rather than a tragedy. By sparking Macbeth’s most inner desires, they were able to guide him down his dark path, which ultimately led to his death. The ideas they pushed to the front of his mind eventually drove this heroic man to become as dark as the devil himself. The manner of the witches’ prophecy also highlights the brilliance of the plot they have and highlight Shakespeare’s ability to write. Shakespeare cannot have his witches directly cast a spell on Macbeth, …show more content…
However, when the witches announce to Macbeth that he shall become King of Scotland. Once he has this bug in his ear, he starts to change into a cold-hearted killer. In an article written, and published by the British Broadcasting Company they claim: ”The witches speak Macbeth 's innermost thoughts. They know exactly what to say, and their timing is precise. They seem unnaturally close and act with one mind” Rather than casting a spell on Macbeth, the witches seem to put him in a trance with the prophecy. No longer sitting in the back of his brain, the idea of assuming the position as the king of Scotland becomes the center of attention for Macbeth. Night and day up until the killing of King Duncan, Macbeths solely focuses on his desire to be the King of Scotland. The idea given to Macbeth from the witches slowly consumes all of his other thinking until the only thing left on his mind is the voices of the witches telling him the prophecy. In an essay written by Dr. Alfred from the University of he discusses:” He may seem almost hypnotized by the witches, but hypnotism only works because people secretly want to do the things they are supposedly commanded to do...They can set forth a vision, but they can’t make Macbeth’s decisions for him” The desire to be King already exists within Macbeth, but the witches help …show more content…
Macbeth had just returned from winning a major, and receiving another area of land. He felt the power he received coursing through his veins, and he wanted more. The manner in the way the witches speaks to him really hits home for Macbeth. They manage to become the only thing he thinks about, and slowly take over his mind. In an article published by the British Broadcasting Company, they state:” They have given Macbeth the apparent certainty that he is to become king, and he will do exactly as he subsequently does. Perhaps the most important thing the witches know is that the measure of ambition in their man outweighs his conscience” After giving Macbeth the prophecy, the only voices in his head seem to be the witches. All his actions reflect the wickedness of the witches and not his original self. Killing in cold blood becomes a regular a occurrence, and no longer does Macbeth feel at peace. The hatred, and turmoil that fills the witches begins to take over Macbeth. In a book written by ……….. he states:” and from the superstitious awe and breathless suspense into which the communications of the Weïrd Sisters throw him, is hurried on with daring impatience to verify their predictions, and with impious and bloody hand to tear aside the veil which hides the uncertainty of the future” Again, the manner of how the witches delivered the speech holds Macbeth hostage