Macbeth's Vaulting Ambition

             Ambition can both create and destroy. Ambition is a beginning, an impetus for change. People inspired by ambition can accomplish great things. However, when tempted by their desires, people destroy themselves. These desires can simply be too much for any one person to overcome. In William Shakespeare's dramatic tragedy, 'Macbeth,' the Scottish Nobleman Macbeth is overcome by his own desire. His eventual downfall and destruction was a product of his blind ambition. The regal ambitions of Macbeth began a tragic downward spiral from which the tragic hero could never recover. Macbeth's vaulting, escalating ambition is his tragic, fatal flaw.
             Before his ambition overtakes him, Macbeth is a loyal, honest man. He serves Duncan, the king of Scotland, with complete and total devotion. His dementia begins shortly after his heroic escapades in the Nordic wars. Macbeth and his companion Banquo happen upon a trio of weird 'women' who promise them power. Their words fester in the mind of Macbeth. He begins to dream of the title of Prince of Cumberland and of succession to the throne of Scotland. His ambition is not satisfied easily however. Duncan names his son Malcolm heir to the throne and instead rewards Macbeth with "only" the Thane ship of Cawdor. Duncan receives nothing. Here, Macbeth has his first thought of foul play.
             On which I must not fall down, or else o'erleap,
             For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
             Let not light see my black and deep desires;
             The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be
             Which the eye fears when it is done to see (Shakespeare, I.v.48-53)
             Macbeth wants to kill Duncan, but is reluctant to act upon his ambition at this point, as he still feels loyalty to his king and friend as "his kinsman and his subject (I.vii.13)."
             Macbeth, under the urgings of his wife, murders Duncan in the dead of night; pr
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