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Macvebeth - Macbeth Explores the Corrupting Influence of Unchecked Ambiton Essay Example

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Macvebeth - Macbeth Explores the Corrupting Influence of Unchecked Ambiton Essay Example
Shakespeare “Macbeth” is the story of how one man’s ambition can lead towards their demise. Macbeth explores the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition. Macbeth’s unchecked ambition leads him from a once noble man into a heartless man with no morals. The corrupted ambitions of Macbeth lead him to act against his conscious and this leaves him open to be easily manipulated.

Macbeth is introduced as a humble and honest leader, however as the play continues his blinded ambition leads him down a dark path in which he loses all moral senses. Initially Macbeth is said to be “Brave”, “Noble” and a “Worthy Gentlemen” who is willing to puts his life on the line to protect his kingdom “Thawdor”. This all begins to change after Macbeth hears his prophecy and suddenly his ambition to become king alights. Macbeth is influenced so heavily by his ambition that he loses his original “Nobel” and “Honest” traits and begins plotting the murder of Duncan, “O, never shall sun that morrow see!”. This shows the first stage of the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition taking over Macbeth. Macbeth carries out the murder of Duncan and then soon after begins plotting the murder of his close friend Banqou. This reveals that the influence of Macbeth’s uncontrolled ambition has now completely taken him over. The influence of ambition on Macbeth to stay as king completely wipes his mind of all his morals and all things that were once important to him, Lady Macbeth is portrayed near the begging of the play to mean everything to Macbeth and Macbeth tried to do what he could to please her. However, when Lady Macbeth dies later in the play Macbeth’s only words are “she should of died here after” as he is annoyed at the fact she died at an inconvenient time. This illustrates how the unchecked ambition that has a corrupting influence upon Macbeth turns him against his once noble and honest path.

The powerful ambitions of Macbeth which influence his decision making lead him to act

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