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 pr

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Ironically, he is planning the murder of King Duncan at this time, but no one is aware of his hypocritical persona.

Secondly, Lady Macbeth’s overly ambitious attitude is the cause for the overwhelming guilt and remorse that leads to her suicide. Although Macbeth could have used his ambition to take him to the height of his power, his increasing ambition defeated his good nature. As a matter of fact, he gets so influenced by Lady Macbeth that he eventually does not even need her support and plans the murder of his good friend Banquo single-handedly. This is clear by the following statement made by her: “…And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood.

Consequently, it is evident by the proofs provided above that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth paved the path to their own destruction; all owing to their uncontrolled ambition. In fact, she even tries to appease Macbeth, which is clear by the following excerpt from the play: “A little water clears us of this deed; How easy is it, then!” (Act 2 Scene 2, ll 67-68). This statement is supported by the following excerpt from the play: “…give to the edge of the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls…” (Act 4 Scene 1, ll 151-152). This eventually led to his stupendous imagination, making him paranoid. The above quotes are evidence to the fact that Macbeth is turning into a cold-hearted and ruthless human being, aside from being overly ambitious. Finally, due to this fallacy, he ends up losing valuable friends, including King Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macbeth and Macduff.

Approximate Word count = 974
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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