The Ambition of Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by William Shakespeare Timothy Leary once said, "Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition" (Peters 175). But is this true in the case of the classic play Macbeth? In Macbeth it seems to be, that Macbeth the protagonist of the play is influence by Lady Macbeth's ambition. Could this be an exception or was Lady Macbeth lying when she ask to be equal to a man so she could commit the murder (1.5.33.45-61). To understand one must look deeply into the plot and many themes of Macbeth. William Shakespeare uses ambition among other things to imply may different ideas. Thus, Macbeth's downfall is a direct cause of Lady Macbeth's goading and ambition. In the beginning of Macbeth, Macbeth is a …show more content…
Then, he has already implemented a plan to kill the king. But, his troubles to think for himself is still very evident after the murder, "Look on't again I dare not" (3.4.107.144-145). His emotion are both up and down causing Lady Macbeth to at times to think and control him. Causing and leading to Macbeth's downfall. Macbeth relationship to Lady Macbeth is not only husband and wife. At times Macbeth becomes depend on Lady Macbeth. Causing Lady Macbeth to make decision for Macbeth. There is no better example of this than act one scenes five and seven. "She Decides to help him gain the crown.... Lady Macbeth decides that Duncan will be killed while staying there" (Rahim 2). Later in scene seven Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that indeed he wants to kill Duncan. The play Macbeth is about Macbeth and his changes. That is why we call Macbeth a dramatic character. Often dramatic characters are also tragic heroes or tragic characters. Which Macbeth is, these changes are a cause of Lady Macbeth and how she effects the play in many way. Including Lady Macbeth's ambition effects Macbeth in turn Macbeth kills Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff's family. The Murders in turn cause Malcolm and Macduff to revolt against Macbeth. The murders also cause both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to become insane. Because Lady Macbeth is not sane so, she kills herself. Because of Malcolm's and Macduff's revolt plus Macbeth sanity causes Macbeth dies a tragic death. In the opening of act five scene
Ambition is the desire to achieve a certain goal one has created. Yet to drive one’s ambition is the desire to achieve that goal, regardless of the consequences. Within the first act of the play Macbeth, it becomes quite clear that Macbeth and the witches carry a great deal of influence toward the titular character, but it is Lady Macbeth who drives Macbeth’s ambition the most.
An ambition for power can seem to be true perfection, but one should be careful what they wish for, because that power might be exactly what causes their downfall. In the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare ambition plays a great role and is also a main theme. Ambition is often the motivating force in one's life. It is supposed to be the motivating factor that drives one towards success. The main character, Macbeth has ambition even though it leads him to his downfall. In contrast, Lady Macbeth pursues her goals with greater determination, yet she is less capable of withstanding the outcome of her actions. She becomes guilty which leads to her death since she becomes mentally ill and commits suicide, leaving Macbeth without any
As a result, she stated the following, “Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood.” Through this she begs the spirits to take away any sympathy within in her in order to have the wit, desire, and drive her husband lacked of in order to become royalty. Through Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare shows there’s no such thing as impossible on the way to getting what one wants. In addition to giving up her femininity, Lady Macbeth also sacrifices her morals by convincing her husband to kill the king, when failing to do so; she states, “When you durst do it, then you were a man.” In other words she convinces Macbeth to kill King Duncan, despite knowing what a horrid crime that was. The struggle to go through anything standing in her way caused her to lose herself as well as her sanity. After realizing what she had caused, she began to lose her mind. She would constantly see her hands covered in blood by those who had been murdered along the way. Unable to get rid of the image in her head, led her to eventually commit suicide.
The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare recounts Macbeth's meteoric rise as a soldier and promising future leader whose megalomaniacal ambition led to his tragic downfall. In addition to Macbeth's ambitions, which initially enable him to be strong leader and soldier, he is influenced heavily by his wife, Lady Macbeth, and the three witches that prophesize his ascent to the throne, as well as warn him of his eventual demise. It can be argued that it is Macbeth's ambition that allows him to succeed in his endeavors, however the goals to which he is working toward influence the results of his hard work. Macbeth's ambitions help him to become a war hero, and as his goals change, his ambitions drive him to become a tyrannical villain.
The Influences of Desire Desire means what people really want to do or to have in deep of their heart, sometimes it doesn’t show on their face. Desire can be people's ambitions, freedom of love, or a strong body. Here is an example for ambition, in Shakespeare’s "Macbeth”, the character Macbeth grows his desire of power after he heard from the three witches that he will be the next king soon. His ambitions, the desire of power influenced him so much that it turned him into an evil person.
Ambition is a trait that allows people to persistently strive for their hopes and desires. In society, ambition is often categorized by either having a positive or negative connotation. Specifically, when analyzing Shakespeare's Macbeth, it is found that this character trait can very much be supported as a negative quality. Macbeth’s ambition leads him to commit violent murders. Lady Macbeth’s ambition is the driving force for his inevitable downfall. In addition, in the end, Macbeth’s ambition is the source of his downfall.
Perhaps more ambitious than Macbeth himself, Lady Macbeth a woman set for ruling Scotland. She is a manipulative motivator behind the starting downfall of not only herself, but her husband. An interesting and dynamic character, Lady Macbeth is for sure one of the most memorable characters when reading the play, “Macbeth.” Many of Lady Macbeth’s interactions are with her husband and when they are not she acts in the most cunning way. Lady Macbeth is strong, ambitious woman, but can you ever be too ambitious?
In Shakespeare’s Scottish tragedy, Macbeth, the corrupting world of uncontrolled ambition and its toll on a person are explored through the main character’s eyes. Ambition- a vital part of human nature that sparks self-betterment and progression- can be beneficial, however, an excess can lead to destruction. Macbeth was leading a noble life until the witches prophesized the potential of his future success, which was the beginning of his downfall. Everyone has desires, but when a seed of ambition is planted in a persons’ mind, it can only be amplified. Although this seed was set by the witches, Lady Macbeth is the one who pushed and manipulated his ambition. Macbeth’s interactions with Lady Macbeth are the major factors that influenced Macbeth
“He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must fall with the greatest loss.” - Niccolo Machiavelli William Shakespeare’s Macbeth presents a fascinating discussion of ambition, and what it is capable of. Shakespeare portrays ambition as a trait that is dangerous and demonstrates this through the main characters of this play. As such, William Shakespeare’s
In Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, ambition is an important influence to much of the plot, especially the title character’s ambition. The role of ambition is predominantly brought upon the three witches who reveal two facts and a prophecy about Macbeth upon their consultation with him and Banquo. Macbeth lacks any noteable intentions, however his desire to become king heightens when the witches foretell that he will be king. The witches’ predictions influence Macbeth’s aspirations because he had no intent to be king until they predicted he would be. Macbeth’s belief in the prophecies affected his ambitions.
Women can be as ambitious and cruel as men, yet social constraints denied them the means to chase these ambitions on their own. Shakespeare, however, appeared to have used Lady Macbeth, and the witches, to weaken Macbeth’s idea that “undaunted mettle should compose / Nothing but males (Act I. sn. VII ln..73–74).” Lady Macbeth’s sweltering ambition to be queen was the target source of motivation that willingly kept her drawn to committing such atrocities. She persistently taunted her husband for miniscule amount of courage he possessed, even though we were aware of his bloody deeds on the battlefield; this exemplified her lack of remorse.
In William Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, Macbeth, the selfish ambition of protagonists Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, result in both being seen as the driving force of the play. Though it may seem that Macbeth’s ambition is greater than his wife’s since he had committed murder, Lady Macbeth encouraged her husband to perform the wicked acts by challenging his manhood, and as a result, fulfilling her greedy desires. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were blinded by their selfish ambition and were eager to own the ultimate titles of King and Queen of Scotland.
In The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth’s ambition impels him as he seeks to become King and retain his crown. His ambition legitimizes his murderous acts but, unfortunately, doesn’t preclude his susceptibility to influencers like Lady Macbeth and the witches, paranoia and self doubt. Macbeth, a battlefield hero, has the ability to plot and execute the murders that will secure his reign. Unfortunately, his ambition cannot conquer his own feelings of fear and guilt. His ambition allows him to commit dreadful acts but also ultimately determines that he is not capable of dealing with the consequences of his actions.
As a reader , that information from the story. It raises a red flag because first off, because she was a woman in an Era where women never said very much, for the reader it was a bit of a shocker. Lady Macbeth was so power driven that she forgets the time that she was living in, and as the reader , we became anxious to see the way she handle the situation. While Macbeth is away in the battle he visits three witches who told him that he is destined to be a king. His ambitions became known as his plan comes together, but he quickly begins to back down when it was time to kill Duncan. Macbeth starts backpedaling saying things like, “if chance will have me , king, why, chance may crown me” (Act 1, Scene 3). He is basically saying if it’s his destiny
William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” is a very violent and bloody play. In the exposition we see Macbeth on the Battlefield, as events unfold the violence worsens, as does Macbeth. After hearing the prophecies from the witches that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and “king hereafter”, Macbeth is appointed Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth becomes paranoid and almost excited that fate has been true to him, however Macbeth takes fate into his own hands and murders King Duncan. The murder haunts Macbeth and ultimately leads to his downfall. Although Macbeth caused his own demise, Lady Macbeth and the witches have a role in bringing Macbeth to ruins. Lady Macbeth has considerable influence in Macbeth’s life and she persuades him to do the deed. The