Fall Of Ambition In Macbeth

Marduff or Banquo is a real hero at that time. Especially Macbeth got worried about Banquo will become a king, and he came up with evil ideal to murder Banquo, also Lady Macbeth persuaded him to following the plan. Because too much greedy, he agreed his wife. When Macbeth killed the Banquo, he feels scared and nervous. But I think that Macbeth has a blind ambition, he is very greedy, because he was worried banquo’s son may a king instead of himself.

Macbeth soon admits to his dark lust for power and status beyond his capability. At first these thoughts remain hidden, but when the witches approach him with their predictions his desires reform his character. The witches wait for Macbeth and tell him series of predictions. The specific prediction, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.51) causes Macbeth’s desire to become more intensified. Their prediction that he would become king brings a change in his character.

To let something else control you, you first must give up all control of your own. By killing Duncan in a self-fulfilling prophecy, he hands some of his self-control over to the witches and the prophecy itself. However, Macbeth’s ambition extends farther than just present power.“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown / And put a barren scepter in my grip” (3.1.66-67). Macbeth is worried about his lineage. Because the prophecy decreed Banquo’s sons kings, Macbeth is worried about his legacy not being carried on, and Duncan’s death being for nothing.

Finally, how ambition affects a character depends on the characters strength. Macbeth is described as a nobel, courageous, and loyal Scottish general. Macbeth is also ambitious to have power, to better himself, and advance to better things. As discussed, ambition can be a dangerous character trait when used in a negative way. Macbeth 's ambition took control, making him the opposite of a loyal, courageous, and noble man.

(Ant.214). In addition, because of his pride in being a king, he stones Antigone because she is against his rule, causing his son’s and wife’s deaths. At the end of Antigone, Creon must bear the consequences for disobeying God a scene of his mental suffering. Similarly, Macbeth also wants to establish himself as a king due to his ambition and pride, but his reasons are far less noble than Creon's. Creon is the rightful heir to the throne; Macbeth, on the other hand, must undertake a series of murders to secure the position of king, especially after the witches' prophecies fulfill.

At this point, Macbeth nearly entirely trusts the witch’s prophecies. This further deepens Macbeth’s ambition to become king and creates uncertainty in him. After learning that king Duncan has made Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland and heir to his throne, Macbeth thinks to himself "Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires. / The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be / Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see" (1.4.57-60). This further shows Macbeth’s greed and intent to become king has grown.

Instead, Lady Macbeth pursues the throne with enough tenacity for them both, at times nearly forcing her husband’s hand. Though influenced by Lady Macbeth’s rhetoric, Macbeth alone holds the blame for his demise as he opens Pandora’s Box and sends Scotland in to chaos. Though Macbeth at first claims he will only allow that "chance may crown me" (I. iii. 151), he is more than willing to take action, starting the chain of events that leads to his fall. His claim to remain a spectator to the potential change of kings is neglected and Macbeth, the very man who decidedly denounces an ambitious reach for the throne, plunges a dagger into Duncan 's body the next night.

--Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man" (I.iii.153- 55). Nonetheless, Lady Macbeth is found as though she is the steering wheel that drives her husband into committing the first awful deed. That is, by testing his manhood, Macbeth finds himself leaning towards the idea of killing his own King to achieve both of their ambitions of ruling Scotland. “--That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies.

Macbeth’s decision is heavily influenced by Lady Macbeth’s attack on his manhood. She discusses the power that Macbeth will possess if he is brave enough to do anything. “I am settled, and bend up/ Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.” (Shakespeare 1.7.79-80) Macbeth makes an impulsive choice that is very unlike his true character. He is at the point where he would do anything that will make him the King of Scotland, such as killing Duncan. To defend his manhood, Macbeth’s greed and desire to be king causes him to not carefully consider the outcomes of his actions.

For example, as Macbeth continues to get greedy and crazy and kills Siward. As Macbeth and Macduff get ready to battle, Macbeth’s lust for power again gets the better of him. Soon after he then finds out that his own wife, Lady Macbeth commits suicide, after going insane. Seyton states: “The queen, my lord, is dead.” (5.5 17) When Macbeth hears this he doesn’t have much, if not any feeling about it and quickly moves on. Macduff realizes from that moment on that Macbeth has reached his breaking point and that Macbeth’s kingdom can finally be