Macbeth Essay

             Ambition is a very valuable personality trait; often the basis of an individual's success. However, overwhelming ambition can prove to be both dangerous and destructive, leading to the same individual's collapse. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's renowned play "Macbeth" were eventually ruined due to their overpowering ambition. Firstly, Macbeth's intensified ambition is fueled throughout the play leading to his downfall. In addition, Lady Macbeth's overly ambitious nature leads her to committing suicide near the end of the play. Lastly, Macbeth also loses his friends and comrades during the course of the play due to his dominant ambition. Thus, it is clearly evident that even though ambition is an asset, an overambitious person can often pave the path to his/her own destruction.
             Firstly, Macbeth's ambition is fueled tremendously by other secondary characters in the play, including Lady Macbeth and the witches. In fact, Lady Macbeth's prevailing ambition affects Macbeth to a great extent, persuading him to murder King Duncan. This is also evident by the following statement made by Macbeth: "False face must hide what the false heart doth know." (Act 1 Scene 7, ll 82-83). Furthermore, the witches prophesied that Macbeth will be followed by a line of Banquo's descendants. This added fuel to the fire, which is clear by the given words mentioned by Macbeth: "They hail'd him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown..." (Act 3 Scene 1, ll 60-61). Even towards the end of the play, Macbeth is fearless and believes that no one can kill him. Evidence from the text that backs this notion is: "What's he That was not born of woman? Such a one Am I to fear, or none." (Act 5 Scene 7, ll 2-4). This overshadowing ambition eventually shows the power of nemesis when Macbeth is justly murdered by Macdu
             ...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Macbeth Essay. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 07:44, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/91908.html