Macbeth Uncontrolled Ambition Essay Example

current position as the Thane of Cawdor. He has no desire to take matters into his own hands in order to seize power.

Lady Macbeth's ambition is imposed on Macbeth to make up for his lack of ambition in becoming the next king. Her self-centered ambition leads him astray and ultimately makes him a victim. Although Macbeth is horrified by the idea of killing Duncan, Lady Macbeth urges him to proceed, exerting her dominance by assuring him that she will take care of the important task.

Lady Macbeth manipulates and pressures Macbeth, compelling him to take action. She claims that if Duncan hadn't reminded her of her father, she would have acted on her own, suggesting that Macbeth lacks bravery if he refuses to carry out the evil act. Lady Macbeth's influence is essential for Macbeth in order for him to have the determination to kill the king, demonstrating how she victimizes him. However, only Macbeth feels guilt after committing the murder. This guilt demonstrates his loyalty towards the king and emphasizes that without Lady Macbeth's influence, he wouldn't have been able to fulfill his royal ambitions.

Macbeth refuses to acknowledge the crime he has committed, admitting his fear to even contemplate it: “I am afraid to think what I have done/ Look on’t again, I dare not” (2. 2. 54-55). His subsequent guilt demonstrates that he failed to process his actions beforehand, succumbing under the intense pressure from Lady Macbeth. Were it not for her relentless persuasion, Macbeth would never have carried out the act, knowing it was not worth the theft of the throne. Despite the murder, Macbeth successfully seizes

the throne, gaining an increased power that begins to affect his mental state. With rising authority, Macbeth's moral compass and intentions take a downward spiral.

Initially, Macbeth was a loyal and respectable antagonist. Yet, his lust for power consumed him when Banquo grew suspicious of King Duncan's murder. Feeling obligated to take action, Macbeth ordered a band of assassins to dispose of Banquo who readily agreed, stating "It is decided. Banquo, if your soul desires heaven, it shall find it tonight." This event marked Macbeth's first act of violence as monarch and further twisted his mindset. He even commanded the killing of one of his former allies.

If Macbeth had remained Thane of Cawdor, would he have ordered the murder of Banquo? No, being king did not bring any benefits to Macbeth; it only led to negative actions. As the play progressed and Macbeth gained more power, his language became more malicious. At the beginning, Macbeth was a respected villain by everyone, but as he became a victim of his circumstances, his character began to change. Macbeth utters many spiteful lines, including "Go prick thy face and over-red thy fear/Thou lily-liver’d boy".

The play illustrates a reversal of roles between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. At first, Lady Macbeth is depicted as harsh and masculine, whereas Macbeth appears to be more compassionate. Nonetheless, once Macbeth attains his aspirations for royalty, he becomes ruthless. The corrupting power manipulates him and alters his nature. Before becoming king, Macbeth was greatly admired but authority distorts his character. In the end, a combination of fate, Lady Macbeth's self-centered ambition, and the corruptive influence of power all contribute

to his downfall.

The witches predicted Macbeth's fate accurately, but it was his wife's ambitions that drove him to become king. As a result, becoming king transformed Macbeth into a vengeful and bitter character. Clearly, he was influenced by others and lacked control over his decisions. If he hadn't had the witches and his wife supporting him, would he have taken a different path?