What Is The Theme Of Ambition In Macbeth

Words: 806
Pages: 4
Open Document
Macbeth is a play of contradiction and ambition. Driven to becoming King, Macbeth will kill all and any that get in his way. He puts his faith in the words and prophecies of three witches, after their first one (stating that he will become the Thane of Cawdor) comes through. Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth, is instrumental is Macbeth's ambition, egging him on when he fears he has gone too far, and scheming of greatness. The themes of Macbeth, like in most plays, have one distinct theme they stick to throughout the play. However, each Act has their own theme that it is centralized upon. Macbeth has themes that change and very constantly giving you a broad spectrum of what the story is about and its potential.
During Act I you are introduced to …show more content…
Though ambition was clear in Act II, it takes precedence in Act III. After brutally murdering the King and leaving a bloody mess in the wake it is brought to Macbeth's attention that he did not seal his fate of fame, glory and riches but instead sealed the fate of Banquo’s child. Ambition showed the true nature of Macbeth because his ambition grows from wanting to be king and having to stay king. Macbeth takes his devious plan of murder and throws it into the air leaving it to the wind to be carelessly reordered so that his next target is Banquo and his child (3.1.60-70). He proceeds to have Banquo and his son murdered in hopes of furthering his fate as King, not knowing it only speeds up the process to his …show more content…
This act is driven and written with complete fear. There is fear in almost everything, curling around every word and thought of the characters. Fear has driven Macbeth to the point of no return. He decides to storm Macduff’s castle. With a blade in hand Macbeth decimates the inhabitants of the castle. Everyone, even the innocent cannot be stopped by Macbeth's fear fueled rage. Not only does he completely eradicate his political enemies, her also slaughters their innocent families. He stabs and slashes anyone with a heartbeat. During this act you see that Macbeth's fear of losing his life and title has driven away his last sliver of humanity after taking the life from Macduff’s
Show More

Related Documents: What Is The Theme Of Ambition In Macbeth

Macbeth Universal Theme Essay

stories with universal themes. In the well-known play Macbeth, a few of these universal themes are used. For example, ambition, guilt, things not being what they seem, and fate versus free will. These themes really give the play a relatable factor. Ambition is the strong desire to achieve something. In the play Macbeth ambition is exhibited through many of the characters. For example, in one scene Macbeth was second guessing killing King Duncan. To encourage him, Lady Macbeth says, “We, fail? If you…

Words 668 - Pages 3

How Does Shakespeare Use Power In Macbeth

play Macbeth, Shakespeare made two themes in the story stand out more than the others.One of these themes is a desire some people want, and the people who have it sometimes regret it. The other is a theme so powerful it can drive a fully sane man to commit treasonous acts. Throughout the text, Shakespeare reinforces the ideas of Ambition and Power. Shakespeare shows throughout the play that Ambition is a huge contributor to the tragedy of Macbeth. Ambition are a curse, Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth both…

Words 731 - Pages 3

Unnatural Events In Macbeth

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare there are many interesting catching themes such as, Ambition, Guilt, Trust versus betrayal, Fate versus free will, and Nature versus the unnatural. These themes brought a wide variety of interesting plot lines to engage the reader or viewer in this play. William used these devices to help him surprise and engage the viewer to understand the main idea of the play. For all of the characters the theme helps the viewer understand the character development.…

Words 530 - Pages 3

Why Is Sleep Important In Macbeth

In Macbeth, William Shakespeare used many motifs to reveal a major theme or plot of a story. One of the major motifs that occurred throughout the play was sleep. One theme within sleep was ambition. Sleep played a major role in Macbeth. The role of sleep in the play is supposed to wash away all of the guilt and all of the troubles in the past days that are going to be put behind. When individuals do sleep, they do not have to worry about the guilts and troubles. But when Macbeth kills Duncan, he…

Words 524 - Pages 3

Shakespeare Writes About Issues That Are Still Relevant Today Essay

issues that are still relevant today because his themes are universal, his plays have been updated and remade and there are 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…

Words 1301 - Pages 6

Macbeth Lust For Power Analysis

The Tragedy of Macbeth tells a story about a thane named Macbeth who must overcome obstacles in order to acquire and maintain power to be king. He does this along with the pressure of his persuasive and ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth. The play is set in Scotland around the 1600, which is during the time of the Renaissance. The playwright, William Shakespeare uses the theme of lust for power to display at length what drives these characters to achieve what they want. Macbeth and his wife have certain…

Words 855 - Pages 4

Macbeth (Witches Effect) Essay

witches to Macbeth? Discuss the effects of the witches on character, plot, themes and audience. In the play of ‘Macbeth' by William Shakespeare the witches have an important effect on Macbeth, the characters, the plot, the theme and the audience. They help construct the play and without them it would have been a totally different story line. The three weird sisters influence Macbeth in his acts, they effect characters lives, orientate the plot, they are related to most of the themes and appeal…

Words 1134 - Pages 5

Evidence To Support The Overall Purpose Of Macbeth

of Macbeth. Holt McDougal Literature. Ed. Janet Allen, et al. Orlando: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Overall Purpose/Theme: The overall purpose for The Tragedy of Macbeth is to convey the message that ambition kills many and once you have the power nothing will stand in your way to earn even more power. Evidence to support the theme: 1. Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth talking bout ho he might become king so she states. “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou…

Words 593 - Pages 3

Essay on Macbeth: Macbeth and Dagger Speech Macbeth

Macbeth The tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare outlines the lust for power and desire of becoming King through ambition that leads to a disastrous demise. Macbeth was first performed in the Elizabethan era for King James the first at Hamptom Courtin in 1606 and enhances to use of witchcraft keep the king satisfied. Since then this tale is still being staged today in plays and movies, as even now we can relate to the characters and themes in the text. As treacherous murders, evil deeds, and…

Words 1014 - Pages 5

Theme Of Fate Vs Free Will In Macbeth

path. This is a theme In MACBETH because Macbeth knew he will be the new king and it was fate but when we progress through the story Lady Macbeth started to play with his fate and change Macbeth choices so he can become King sooner. In Act 1 on page 32, Lady Macbeth says, “But screw your courage to the sticking place, and we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep, I’ll ply his guards with wine till memory and reason shall depart. What cannot you and I perform upon the unguarded Duncan? What not put upon…

Words 603 - Pages 3