Macbeth Ambition Research Paper

Essay Topic: Select one of the themes of Macbeth and discuss the way Shakespeare treats it.

Macbeth is, among other things, a study of the effects and dangers of ambition. Shakespeare offers several different examples of ambition through the major characters Banquo, Lady Macbeth and, most importantly Macbeth himself. Macbeth’s ambitions of becoming King of Scotland leads to the destruction of his wife, his country and himself. Lady Macbeth’s covetous thoughts of wanting her husband to be crowned King, lead her to disillusionment, unhappiness and an inability to sleep. The guilt eats away at her, leaving her to feel isolated by her husband and haunted by the memories. Banquo however, is a victim of his own ambitions. The witches’ prophesies
He is considered a brave and courageous man, “…Like Valor’s minion carv’d out his passage…” 1, 2, 19, but after the witches prophesies, his life begins to change, making every word the witches spoke, come true. “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis…Thane of Cawdor…that shalt be King hereafter…” 1, 3, 47-49. Macbeth, at first is reluctant to murder Duncan, but with persuasion from Lady Macbeth, he is able to continue as they had planned. From the crime that Macbeth commits, it leads to sleepless nights, and fear, “As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands...” 2, 2, 3. Soon Macbeth begins to feel troubled in his own body, fearing for his life, he decides to murder Banquo as he was beginning to be suspicious of the way Macbeth has been acting. But Banquo’s murder only causes Macbeth more troubles, at the state banquet; Macbeth begins to see things that only he can see, floating daggers with which he murdered Duncan with and the ghost of Banquo. “Is this a dagger which I see before me…” 2, 1, 33. The more murders there were the more mentally deranged and unstable Macbeth became, pushing him to the edge until he felt he had no choice but to consult the Weird Sisters so he could find some peace of mind, some thought of comfort. “I conjure you by that which you profess,” 4,
The witches’ prophecies lead to his ambitions of wanting his descendants to be Kings causing him to keep the truth from everyone and live in secrecy. This in a way leads to his death. From Banquo’s first encounter with the Weird Sisters, his life also changes and he loses sleep. “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be one.” 1, 3, 35. The witches’ prophesized that Banquo will be father of Kings, yet he cannot be King, but his ambitions overwhelm him leading to a point where the truth no longer could be spoken. Like Macbeth, Banquo is also very ambitious but compared to Macbeth, his selfish wants never over powered his honour nor the good of Scotland. Banquo is seen as a threat to Macbeth as Banquo is slowly becoming suspicious of him, “…As the weird women promis’d, and I fear Thou playd’st most foully for’t…” 3, 1, 2-3, hence triggering Macbeth to kill him, but Macbeth’s conscience won’t let him live it down, hence the scene where Banquo’s ghost visits Macbeth during his state banquet. “Here is a place reserv’d, sir…Where…Here, my good Lord. What is’t that moves your highness?” 3, 4, 46-48. On the same night of Macbeth’s state banquet is the same night in which the murder of Banquo occurs. Whilst making his way home with his son Fleance, they are attacked by three murderers who are ordered by Macbeth. However, the murderers are not as fortunate when Fleance, son of Banquo escapes leaving the murderers to discard of