ipl-logo

Macbeth: Impact Of Ambition On Self And Others

846 Words4 Pages

Impact Of Ambition on Self and Others
Ambition is often defined as the driving force that pushes individuals to overcome or attain the impossible. Possessing the character trait is a milestone in one's path to success. However, ambition can become one's doom. It can corrupt individuals, impact their relationships or build a ruthless force leading them to catastrophic failure. Consequently, Shakespeare, in his play Macbeth, which features the conquest of a Scottish nobleman to become the king of Scotland, articulately highlights how ambition can be dangerous to both an individual and others around them. This paper explores how Shakespeare's play highlights the impact of ambition in the characters Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo.
Macbeth, who …show more content…

Banquo is also approached by the witches with the same prophecy. However, he refrains from acting on his ambitions. This is evident in the play, 'but tis strange:/ and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths;/ win us with honest trifles, to betray's/ in deepest consequence' (1.3.126-130). Contrastingly, Banquo is used by Shakespeare to identify the influence of one's ambition on others. Banquo becomes wary of the motif of the witch's prophecy and cautions MacBeth against having any faith in their words. Banquo and MacBeth share a deep, noble friendship. However, despite lacking any destructive ambition, he is a victim of Macbeth's ambition, who kills him due to his perceptions of him as a threat to his conquest for power. Other victims of over-ambitious characters in the play include MacDuff. Macduff, who is loyal to the rightful king Duncan possesses no personal ambitions for power (4.3.221-226). However, he and his family end up on the trail of Macbeth's murders as he is perceived as a threat to Macbeth's reign as king of Scotland. Duncan also succumbs to the destructive nature of Macbeth's ambition despite being the rightful king. He is also a victim of other people's ambitions who exploit his good character for their own gains

Show More
Related

  • Macbeth Unchecked Ambition Essay

    1063 Words  | 5 Pages

    This can be seen in Act 3 when Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. After calling the men to a meeting, Macbeth convinces them to assist him in disposing of his companion stating, “Both of you Know Banquo was your enemy… So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near'st of life…thence it is, That I to your assistance do make love, Masking the business from the common eye…” (3.1.1132-1144). At this point, Macbeth has already obtained the title of King but, after hearing the witches’ new prophecy, it’s revealed that Banquo’s lineage poses a threat to Macbeth's control. Once again, Macbeth’s ambition causes him to blindly follow unreliable sources.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Loss Of Ambition Research Paper

    568 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Ambition without intelligence is like a bird without wings” this can best be related to the journey of which Macbeth and fellow characters strive to succeed all in the quest for power, wealth and respect. The pure lust for royalty in time will come with benefits as well as manipulative consequences. In Macbeth William Shakespeare argues that upon the pursuit of ambition there will be both perks and hardships to be made. This can best be demonstrated in, how the pursuit of ambition will result I loss of character, as well as complete isolation, and the burden and guilt Macbeth will carry for his reminder. Macbeth is once seen as an honorable and dedicated soldier full of the “Milk of human kindness” he gradually breaks free of this and becomes the polar opposite.

    Read More

  • Macbeth's Ambition Research Paper

    1064 Words  | 5 Pages

    Ambition can have either a positive or negative affect on a person’s decisions. In most cases, an ambitious person is viewed as someone who is very determined towards achieving their goals. However, the other type of ambitious people are those who have a strong desire to be powerful, usually in a negative and controlling way. These ambitious people tend to have unrealistic and immoral goals, usually in a way for them to gain competence. In Macbeth, written by the famous playwright William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth is seen to portray these traits.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Greed Quotes

    1464 Words  | 6 Pages

    Macbeth’s greed takes over him as he chases a fool’s dream. Macbeth's ambition leads him to secure his power; he overlooks his guilt and focuses on doing whatever it takes to hold onto his authority. Shakespeare demonstrates, in a variety of techniques, how just ambition alone can bring down the even the greatest of men. “There is something wrong with a individual’s character if opportunity controls their loyalty.” Sean Simmon’s the writer of this quote explains how blinded someone can be when given certain opportunities which can be directly related to the character Macbeth.

    Read More

  • The Bears Responsible For The Tragedy Of Macbeth Essay

    1083 Words  | 5 Pages

    Following this, he plans and goes through with a plan to kill Duncan in the hope of ensuring his fate. Irony can be seen in this quote through the way that his knowledge of the prophecies only leads him and his wife to their demise. Furthermore, the Witches are portrayed as manipulative and malevolent characters who find delight in causing chaos. In act 1 scene 3 Banquo and Macbeth discuss what the Witches had said about their future. Banqou expresses to Macbeth, “The instruments of darkness tell us truths/ Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s/ In deepest consequence” (1.3 124-126).

    Read More

  • Ambition Violence And Manhood In Macbeth

    1040 Words  | 5 Pages

    Kayla Mansell Ms.Weldon English 4 12 February 2018 William Shakespeare In William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth shows ambition, violence, and manhood, which the actors demonstrated these traits through their actions. William Shakespeare portrayed these themes in the play, Macbeth. Ambition is a strong desire to do or to achieve something typically requiring determination and hard work. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were good people, but they let their ambition get the best of them.

    Read More

  • Greed Quotes In Macbeth

    793 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the first meeting with the witches; where Macbeth is prophesied to become the Thane of Cawdor and finally king. Banquo, whom had also been prophesized to become the father of many kings, comes to a realisation that “the instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles, to betray in deepest consequence”. By saying this, Banquo believes that the witches will earn Banquo and Macbeth’s trust by telling them truth about little things, but if the witches decide to betray the two men, it may leave a devastating effect. Nevertheless, in contrast to Banquo’s skepticism regarding the witches, Macbeth desires to know more, “stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more”, and the idea of becoming king now occurs to him as a possibility. This suggests that Macbeth already has a deep desire for power and status; although, at this point, Macbeth is “too full o’th’milk of human kindness”, to commit himself to this immoral act of murdering the innocent

    Read More

  • Macbeth Act 3 Scene 1 Soliloquy Analysis

    527 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Macbeth’s soliloquy, he talks about Banquo’s “hath of wisdom” and how Banquo acts safely(58). This illustrates that Macbeth is afraid of what Banquo might do. This illustrates Macbeth’s ambition because he is not going to give up until he finds what he is looking for if he gets suspicious with Macbeth. This makes Macbeth very scared of Banquo because if Banquo finds out that Macbeth killed Duncan, Macbeth’s life is going to be hell and Banquo is immediately going to tell everybody in Scotland. Macbeth fears Banquo so much that he will “champion his utterance” and will battle anybody to keep his crown(77).

    Read More

  • Banquo's Foil In Macbeth

    736 Words  | 3 Pages

    He reveals that he is not strong minded and is easily influenced by those around him. It is through Banquo that one can actually identify Macbeth with these traits. If it were not for Banquo’s calm and responsible reaction to the foretelling, it would be difficult to hold Macbeth on a basis on the appropriate way to respond to the situation. Banquo is not after sole success, and still considers himself successful even with his sons being heirs to the kingdom. With this genuine appreciation, we are able to view Macbeth as a greedy and irrational character.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Foils In Macbeth

    2055 Words  | 9 Pages

    Macbeth is effortlessly susceptible to evil where Banquo takes a more cautious approach to almost everything that he encounters and ponders about what may come next. Banquo plays it safe and never is hasty when it comes to making decisions while Macbeth is quick to act and believes everything that he is told; “Shakespeare's Banquo is the antithesis of Macbeth -- his pure, moral character foil. Banquo has no 'vaulting ambition' and thus can easily escape the trap of the Witches' prophesies.” (Mabillard, “Introduction to the Characters in Macbeth”). Banquo stays untainted by the witches prophesy while Macbeth allows and calls upon evil spirits to help him on his malevolent pursuit.

    Read More

  • Ambition In Macbeth's Downfall

    688 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is ambition? Ambition is the determination to achieve one’s goals. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare the protagonist, Macbeth, possesses ambition, which led to his downfall. In the play Macbeth’s ambition is driven by prophecies from witches and his wife’s aspiration. Ambition caused Macbeth to commit multiple homicides and after those wrongdoings Macbeth is left with nothing.

    Read More

  • Ambition In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1015 Words  | 5 Pages

    In today’s society many people possess strong ambition when it comes to getting a job, following a passion and being immensely successful in life. Having an abundance of aspirations can have both successful and faulty outcomes depending on the situation and how individuals respond to the circumstance. For example, in the play **Macbeth written by Shakespeare, a prime example of an excessive amount of ambition is displayed through both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s actions. Essentially, Macbeth becomes power hungry and goes on a rampant killing spree that causes Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to be overcome with guilt. They both contain an excessive amount of desires due to their ultimate goal being for Macbeth to be crowned king.

    Read More

  • Macbeth And Banquo Comparison

    653 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, Banquo resists temptation to give in to his darker side, highlighting two diverging paths a person can pursue while following free will. In Macbeth, Banquo and Macbeth are both noble men receive two similar prophecies, but Macbeth takes a nefarious path and falls from grace, unlike Banquo, who remains moral, illustrating the two paths that free will can result in. Both

    Read More

  • Morality And Morality In Macbeth

    1083 Words  | 5 Pages

    In general, Shakespeare emphasizes that ambition for power and wealth can invalidate morality in human nature. Victory has sworn upon Macbeth and Banquo after the defeat of the king 's traitor Macdonwald. Shortly in the midst of returning home Banquo and Macbeth halt when three suspicious ladies came into view. One by one they told Macbeth his upcoming abundance of power.

    Read More

  • Macbeth And Banquo Comparison Essay

    525 Words  | 3 Pages

    Unlike Macbeth, Banquo, from the beginning of this encounter, continues to doubt the witches, “I’th’name of truth are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show?” (1.3.51-52) Banquo didn’t believe what the witches were saying, he questions their intentions and accuses them of raising Macbeth’s hope. Throughout this whole encounter, Banquo continues to protect Macbeth while staying loyal. He never once acted on his prophecies, he simply disregarded what the witches were saying and remained the noble man he is. Even to his death, Banquo has not once acted without honour and

    Read More

More about Macbeth: Impact Of Ambition On Self And Others

Open Document