Manipulations Of Ambition In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'
Macbeth:
Manipulations of Ambition
Jane Doe
ELA B10
Mr. Smith
In “Macbeth”, Shakespeare uses the concept of ambition to explain the deterioration of Macbeth’s morality and his choice, with the manipulation of Lady Macbeth, to work out a plan to kill Duncan. Shakespeare also explores the influential factors of why Macbeth’s ambitions become destructive. The three witches in the beginning of the play prophesize that Macbeth will become king. Macbeth wanted to fulfil this prophecy due to his high ambitions. However, the prophecy was fulfilled because Lady Macbeth led her husband through the barriers of his doubt and morality. It is Macbeth’s wife who caused the death of Duncan.
Lady Macbeth’s high expectations …show more content…
She decides to control the procedures involved in Duncan’s murder. Lady Macbeth is clearly willing to do whatever it takes to seize her throne and she calls upon her masculinity “unsex me here / . . . / . . . Come to my woman’s breasts, / And take my milk for gall”(Shakespeare 1.5.39-46). She is implying that her womanhood represented by breasts and milk, is preventing her from performing acts of violence and cruelty; she believes that violence and cruelty are qualities inherent of men and masculinity. Macbeth is uncertain whether it is righteous to take the life of such a great king, “First, I am his kinsmen and his subject,” (Shakespeare 1.7.13). Despite Macbeth doubting whether or not he should accept the murder of Duncan he is always convinced otherwise by his wife. Lady Macbeth is aware of her …show more content…
The motivation to become king originates from the prophecies of the witches. The concept of having a good chance to gain the throne is brought to Macbeth when the witches address him as “Thane of Glamis….Thane of Cawdor…[ and] king hereafter” (Shakespeare 1.3.50-53). The final address is the prophecy that Macbeth will be king. The witches’ prophecies are also the beginning of Macbeth’s long journey towards seizing the throne. Macbeth believes in the prophecies of the witches after he gains the title, Thane of Cawdor. The audience learn about the witches’ supernatural powers when they send wind to force a woman’s sailor husband to face a tough journey because the woman has upset the witches, “But in a sieve I’ll thither sail, and like a rat without a trail” (Shakespeare 1.3.9-10). The witches possess unnatural powers so it is logical in some ways to believe that they can prophesize the future. Therefore, it is also logical for Macbeth to gain trust in the witches’ prophecies. Due to the fact that Macbeth believes in the witches’ prophecies, his motive to become king is brought up by the witches. He may have thought of taking over Duncan’s throne, but it is the witches that give him the idea that he has the chance obtain the throne, therefore, the witches influence Macbeth’s murder of Duncan and further
Manipulations of Ambition
Jane Doe
ELA B10
Mr. Smith
In “Macbeth”, Shakespeare uses the concept of ambition to explain the deterioration of Macbeth’s morality and his choice, with the manipulation of Lady Macbeth, to work out a plan to kill Duncan. Shakespeare also explores the influential factors of why Macbeth’s ambitions become destructive. The three witches in the beginning of the play prophesize that Macbeth will become king. Macbeth wanted to fulfil this prophecy due to his high ambitions. However, the prophecy was fulfilled because Lady Macbeth led her husband through the barriers of his doubt and morality. It is Macbeth’s wife who caused the death of Duncan.
Lady Macbeth’s high expectations …show more content…
She decides to control the procedures involved in Duncan’s murder. Lady Macbeth is clearly willing to do whatever it takes to seize her throne and she calls upon her masculinity “unsex me here / . . . / . . . Come to my woman’s breasts, / And take my milk for gall”(Shakespeare 1.5.39-46). She is implying that her womanhood represented by breasts and milk, is preventing her from performing acts of violence and cruelty; she believes that violence and cruelty are qualities inherent of men and masculinity. Macbeth is uncertain whether it is righteous to take the life of such a great king, “First, I am his kinsmen and his subject,” (Shakespeare 1.7.13). Despite Macbeth doubting whether or not he should accept the murder of Duncan he is always convinced otherwise by his wife. Lady Macbeth is aware of her …show more content…
The motivation to become king originates from the prophecies of the witches. The concept of having a good chance to gain the throne is brought to Macbeth when the witches address him as “Thane of Glamis….Thane of Cawdor…[ and] king hereafter” (Shakespeare 1.3.50-53). The final address is the prophecy that Macbeth will be king. The witches’ prophecies are also the beginning of Macbeth’s long journey towards seizing the throne. Macbeth believes in the prophecies of the witches after he gains the title, Thane of Cawdor. The audience learn about the witches’ supernatural powers when they send wind to force a woman’s sailor husband to face a tough journey because the woman has upset the witches, “But in a sieve I’ll thither sail, and like a rat without a trail” (Shakespeare 1.3.9-10). The witches possess unnatural powers so it is logical in some ways to believe that they can prophesize the future. Therefore, it is also logical for Macbeth to gain trust in the witches’ prophecies. Due to the fact that Macbeth believes in the witches’ prophecies, his motive to become king is brought up by the witches. He may have thought of taking over Duncan’s throne, but it is the witches that give him the idea that he has the chance obtain the throne, therefore, the witches influence Macbeth’s murder of Duncan and further