Examples Of Vaulting Ambition In Macbeth

The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a Testimony to the negative repercussions of vaulting ambition. In Macbeth, character's morals are put to the test by supernatural forces. This is illustrated by the character Macbeth, whose tragic downfall is ultimately the result of his ambition. Furthermore, Macbeth’s ambition leads him to kill King Duncan, Banquo; both he was originally loyal too, and Macduff’s family. Macbeth’s vaulting ambition causes him to make faulty decisions, thereby causing not only his own destruction, but the deaths of family and foe.
Ultimately, King Duncan’s death is a result of Macbeth’s inability to stick to his morals, due to his uncontrollable ambition for power and status. Macbeth is portrayed as a valiant hero who is loyal, brave, and has the utmost respect for authority. However, after receiving three prophecies; Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland, there is a shift in Macbeth’s character. His dark ambitions are revealed, as well as his struggle to accept them. Macbeth is shown contemplating the steps he will have to take to achieve his dark desires. This is illustrated by when he says “[w]hose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man” (I.iii.151-152). Thus revealing that Macbeth desires to be king, but cannot bring himself to take the steps needed to do the deed. However, as time proceeds, Macbeth is manipulated by Lady Macbeth into believing that by killing King Duncan he

Throughout the play, Macbeth’s bad decision are due to his overpowering paranoia, blinding ambition, and desiring conscience. This is represented by the killings of King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s family. However, through Macbeth’s tyrannical reign, he does not go unharmed. He is greatly impacted both mentally and physically. As a result, he spirals into madness and ironically, in the end it is his ambition that causes his