Macbeth Ambition

Erika Tavarez

10/12/2016

Pd. 7

Macbeth

Ambition. That word alone is a powerful word. It can be used for good, but at the same time for bad. Macbeth had let himself get consumed by it. Macbeth had killed King Duncan for the power, sent to kill Banquo to stay in power, and killed Macduff’s family because he felt threatened. Macbeth could no longer escape from the ambition.

Macbeths ambition had led him into committing murder, killing King Duncan. Macbeths gets captured by this ambition when he is told by the three witches that he would be Thane of Cawdor, and later will be king. This had him fantasizing on being king. Macbeth knew that for him to be king would mean he had to kill Duncan. “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical” (Act I, scene iii,). He kept thinking about it that he no longer could control himself. “To prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself and falls on the other” (Act I, scene viii,). Macbeth killed Duncan because of his “valuing ambition”.

Once Macbeth as the title of king, he starts to want all the power to stay to him, he sets out to kill Banquo. Since Banquo had known about the prophecy, he would have figured out that Macbeth had been the one to kill Duncan. For this, Macbeth feared Banquo. “But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared” (Act III, scene i, 51-53). Macbeth didn’t like that and he sent to kill Banquo and Fleance so he can say with the power. At this point Macbeth has decided on his own what he wants to do that he doesn’t inform Lady Macbeth of his plans. “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck. Till thou applaud the deed.” (Act III, scene ii ,57-58). His ambition caused him to act on his own sending to kill Banquo.

Macbeth finally had reached the limit and murdered Macduff’s family. Macbeth had become to worry again that his ruling would be taken away. He went to go visit the withes again. One of the apparitions had told him to beware of Macduff. “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff.” (Act IV, scene I, 73) But the witches also tell him that he will not be hurt by anyone who is born from a woman. Due to his fear, Macbeth goes out to kill Macduff. At hearing he has gone out the country, he kills his family instead.

Ambition was the beginning of Macbeth, but his ending as well.  Macbeth had been driven to kill Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s family simply because of power. Macbeth had ruined his life over his ambition.