Ambition In Macbeth By William Shakespeare
Do you have the power to let power go? Most would say yes, but how does one truly know unless they are put in a predicament with real life consequences to their decisions. Most people hold a firm grasp to power because they fear of what would happen to them if they were indeed, powerless. This notorious human characteristic is fully explored in William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, a story of the destructive consequences a deep ambition for power can lead to. Macbeth’s paranoid sense of ambition, and the prodding from his “partner in greatness”, blind him from appreciating his more than exceptional life; apparently, a promotion from the king, a loving wife, and nobility status were not enough to quench Macbeth’s thirst for power. Unfortunately,
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Once a loyal general, now murderous maniac; however, shakespeare takes us through this transition step by step, as Macbeth eliminates more and more “threats” to his power, his paranoia continues to consume every aspect of his life. Macbeth’s transition is actually synonymous with the lives of dictators in the real world: taking over in an unjust manner, eliminating potential “threats” to their power due to paranoia, ultimately leading to their own death. causes Macbeth to worry about some new threat that could challenge his power, a characteristic that is actually quite common with unpopular rulers. Shakespeare deepens the reader’s understanding of Macbeth’s power-craze by showing the increasing level of paranoia ensuring in Macbeth’s thoughts and actions. A level of paranoia that even causes women and children to lose their lives; a vital turning point in the story, because it was the first time Lady Macbeth was in shock the type of atrocities Macbeth was willing to commit in order to hold a firm grasp on his power. A major turning point because although Macbeth is the one that’s actually been doing all the killing, this is the first time it seems that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles. Macbeth takes Lady Macbeth’s cold-hearted conspiring personality, and she in turn, takes his “milk of human kindness”. Now as Macbeth attempts to increase his grip on power, he begins to lose his grip on
Once a loyal general, now murderous maniac; however, shakespeare takes us through this transition step by step, as Macbeth eliminates more and more “threats” to his power, his paranoia continues to consume every aspect of his life. Macbeth’s transition is actually synonymous with the lives of dictators in the real world: taking over in an unjust manner, eliminating potential “threats” to their power due to paranoia, ultimately leading to their own death. causes Macbeth to worry about some new threat that could challenge his power, a characteristic that is actually quite common with unpopular rulers. Shakespeare deepens the reader’s understanding of Macbeth’s power-craze by showing the increasing level of paranoia ensuring in Macbeth’s thoughts and actions. A level of paranoia that even causes women and children to lose their lives; a vital turning point in the story, because it was the first time Lady Macbeth was in shock the type of atrocities Macbeth was willing to commit in order to hold a firm grasp on his power. A major turning point because although Macbeth is the one that’s actually been doing all the killing, this is the first time it seems that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles. Macbeth takes Lady Macbeth’s cold-hearted conspiring personality, and she in turn, takes his “milk of human kindness”. Now as Macbeth attempts to increase his grip on power, he begins to lose his grip on