Macbeth Ambition Research Paper

745 Words3 Pages
In the thrilling play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, William Shakespeare portrays scenes of great distress, deception, and violence. The central character of the play, known as Macbeth, was given visions of great success as king of Scotland, but he chose to murder and plot perniciously to obtain his goal. The predominant theme that is evident throughout the play is the ambition that the essential characters have to accomplish their desires and the events that unfold from their actions. This ambition is shown through the characters, actions, and quotes that are located within the play and illustrate a sense of longing and aspiration throughout the writing. Firstly, the essential characters of Shakespeare’s play, such as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth,…show more content…
Once Macbeth had murdered Duncan after he began lusting for the throne, he continued to kill so that he could have total assurance that his place on the throne was secured. Macbeth would not stop until he felt like he had ultimate power in the kingdom once the witches had bestowed upon him the visions of his kingship. In the beginning, however, Macbeth was slightly hesitant about killing Duncan because of the constant pain of guilt that he felt in his gut, but Lady Macbeth was determined for him to be king. She planned Duncan’s murder, caused the guards to become drunk, and returned the daggers to their rightful place as she took initiative over her husband’s faltering determination. The reader could see from the very start of the play that she was aggressively taking over the masculine role and that she was a prominent ambitious…show more content…
Near the end of the story, Macbeth proclaims, “Then live Macduff: what need I fear of thee? But yet I’ll make assurance, double sure and take a bond of faith…” (Act IV, Scene I, Ln 82-85) In this phrase, Macbeth is making a bold promise to himself that he will take fate into his own hands and succeed no matter what; if the character Macduff were to challenge his authority and fight him, then he will give his best effort to defeat him at any cost. Lady Macbeth demonstrates her ambition closer to the beginning when she says, “Only look up clear. To alter favor ever is to fear. Leave all the rest to me.” (Act I, Scene V, Ln 72-73) She is yearning for her husband to grasp the power that has been presented to him so much that she is willing to take over the planning for the murder of the current king. There are an array of quotes throughout the play that thoroughly demonstrate the theme of ambition, but these quotes both describe Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s craving for a royal
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