Macbeth and Vaulting Ambition Essay examples

Submitted By Monica-Tobias

Words: 351

Pages: 2

Open Document

Although Macbeth feels guilt after killing Duncan, ambition is the true cause of the tragedy in the play because even though Macbeth did most of the killings, Lady Macbeth was the one who encouraged him to do them.
In the play Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to commit atrocities to be able to be king. She says, “But screw your courage to the sticking–place, and we’ll not fail..” This shows how she’s fortifying Macbeth to keep doing the murdering’s. After he kills Duncan and goes back home with his bloody hands his wife says, “A little water clears us of this deed.” Meaning she thought that by just washing his hands everything would be fine, no matter if he just killed the king!
Not only is the aspiration for the kingdom from Lady Macbeth, but also from Macbeth. “I have no spur to trick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition,” this words come directly out of Macbeth’s mouth. They show how even though Lady Macbeth is crazy and wants the throne to belong to her husband it is also him that is willing to do anything to own it.
Although ambition is the main cause of tragedy during the play Macbeth starts feeling guilt after he kills for the first time. Macbeth says, “I heard a voice cry ‘sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep. Macbeth shall sleep no more”, this shows how after killing Duncan the remorse gets to him. Also when he sends Banquo to get killed his ghost starts haunting him. In scene three while being in a hall in the palace, Banquo’s ghost appears and

Examples Of Vaulting Ambition In Macbeth

Macbeth was a man founded on principals. He loved the king and so did everyone else. He had no reason to betray the King until his wife put in his mind the power he could have if he took out the king. Macbeth himself even states that there is no reason he could or should kill the king because for starters, everyone in Scotland loves the king and he was doing a great job (I.7.1-28). He also mentioned that being his subject and his host that he should be protecting him, not being the person that kills…

Words 217 - Pages 1

Banquo's Ambition In Macbeth

activity of believing the witches. Macbeth not being careful about the witches prompts to his downfall and in the long run, his passing. The witches have three greetings upon Macbeth's arrival, the most essential one is “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter” (1.3. 50). This is a predication that Macbeth will be King in the near future. Macbeth hears the news of Malcolm being named Prince of Cumberland and himself being named Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth takes comfort in the witches, while…

Words 400 - Pages 2

Essay on Tragic Hero and Brave Macbeth

Macbeth, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the 17th century, expresses clearly the strong pull that desire for power can have over a man. Macbeth, the title character of the play, is often expressed as being the villain of the tragedy. However, through studying the play closely it is clear to see that, rather than being an innately evil character, Macbeth is in fact a tragic hero, doomed by fate from the start to descend into the madness which he did. Had it not been for his hamartia and…

Words 297 - Pages 2

Essay about Analysing Soliloquy 1.7 Macbeth

deepen the audience’s understanding of Macbeth’s conflicted state of mind? POINT: Contrast of heaven and hell imagery EVIDENCE: “his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking-off”. EXPLANATION: Macbeth prefigures the spirit of Duncan to be associated with heaven, and his own actions (‘taking him off’) representative of the Devil, suggesting the unnaturalness of the action and the evil of Macbeth’s character. ANALYSIS/ IMPLICATIONS: Alliteration…

Words 1242 - Pages 5

Shakespeare Writes About Issues That Are Still Relevant Today Essay

various schools of thought who argue about his plays. His universal themes of vaulting and corrupting ambition, a reliance on superstition and gender tell us that the play Macbeth explored themes that are still seen in today’s society. The updated and remade film versions of Macbeth (also known as The Tragedy of Macbeth) and Macbeth (BBC’s Shakespeare’s Retold Series) tell us that people still enjoy watching the issues in Macbeth. And the various schools of thought Psychoanalytical, Feminist, and Marxism…

Words 1301 - Pages 6

Lady Macbeth's Downfall Analysis

Ambition is favourable trait, in the right amount. Too little, and you won’t achieve anything, being apathetic in your life; not striving towards a goal, your life will be meaningless. But too much can be far more dangerous, willing to go to great lengths for your goal. Not caring what you have to do, ignoring morality to get what you want. This is the problem that plagues Macbeth. He was too ambitious, too tempted by power and remain in that power. This temptation was his fatal flaw, a metaphorical…

Words 1359 - Pages 6

Macbeth and Witches Essay

his ambition, the influence of Lady Macbeth, or the prophecies from the three witches. Draw explicitly on quotations and plot development to support your ideas. Macbeth, a tragedy scripted by William Shakespeare in the 17th century, shows the effects a desire for power can have over a man. Macbeth, the title character of the play is often expressed as being the villain of the tragedy however through the study of the play it is evident that rather being an innately evil character Macbeth was…

Words 742 - Pages 3

macbeth essay

In the tragedy of Macbeth the witch’s prophecy is morally evil. Good and is reflected in the nature of each character. There alone are responsible for their motives and actions leading to either success or down fall. Discuss Throughout the play each character shows characteristics that either brings them to greatness or to downfall. Shakespeare shows us each characters motives and action leads them to their final destiny. A prime example of this is the fearless solider Macbeth that wears his heart…

Words 404 - Pages 2

Macbeth's Downfall

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, it shows us the downfall of Macbeth and who contributed to it. The person I believe is responsible for Macbeth's downfall is himself due to him being overly ambitious and could’ve made the right choices. One of the reasons for Macbeth’s downfall is him being overly ambitious throughout the play. In Act 1 Scene 7 it says “I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition”. This quote clearly shows that ambition drives his actions…

Words 726 - Pages 3

Macbeth: Macbeth and Business Lady Macbeth Essay

Macbeth “Macbeth” By William Shakespeare is a play in which the relationship between a male and female character changes significantly. This essay will show how the relationship between the two characters changes and to what extent this illuminates a central ideas of the play which are power and ambition. “Macbeth” is about a loyal kinsman to the king of Scotland allowing his ‘vaulting ambition’ to get the better of him. He plans with his wife who turns out to be the driving force, to commit…

Words 962 - Pages 4