The Effects Of Macbeth's Ambitions.

"He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss." - Niccolo Machiavelli. This preceding quote effectively describes Macbeth's fight to gain and maintain his role as King of Scotland. Throughout the play, Macbeth did anything necessary to become King. When he feared his reign was at risk, he again did whatever he thought was necessary to ensure his role. His ambitions caused him to take part in many regretful acts, resulting in havoc throughout Scotland. Later in the play, his prerequisite knowledge allowed him to fear nothing, which essentially caused him to lose his reign as King. The effects of Macbeth's ambition are: multiple deaths, his and Lady Macbeth's relentless feeling of guilt, and the change of Kingdom leaders.

The first most prominent effect of Macbeth's ambition is the murder of multiple people. The first person that is killed as an effect of Macbeth's ambition is King Duncan. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth that he will prosper if he kills Duncan. Therefore, under the forceful direction of Lady Macbeth, he murders Duncan for his own gain, even though he currently realizes that what he is doing is wrong. The result of his actions can be seen when he says: "I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. / Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell / That summons thee to heaven, or to hell." (II.i.62-64). Macbeth felt so strongly that he would become King that he decided to kill the current King of Scotland himself. The next person who is murdered as an effect of Macbeth's ambition is Banquo. Banquo voiced his suspicion over Macbeth's contribution to Duncan's murder, therefore, Macbeth felt Banquo was a threat to his reign as King, and had him assassinated. Macbeth's role in the murder of Banquo can be seen when he says to himself after conversing with the murderers: "It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight, / If it find heaven, must find it out to-night." (III.i.141-142). Macbeth felt the need to murder his best friend because he feared the safety of his reign. The final people who are killed as a result of Macbeth's ambition are the members of Macduff's family. Macbeth fears that Macduff grew too suspicious of him, and thus he ordered the murderers to kill his family. Macbeth's role in the murder of Macduff's family can be seen when he states to himself:

"The castle of Macduff I will surprise; / Seize upon Fife; give to the edge of the sword / His wife, and babes, and all the unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line." (IV.i.151-153).

Murdering Macduff's family seemed like the only way to make Macduff silence his suspicions. This point showed Macbeth's poor judgement in that murdering Macduff's family only made him more revengeful. Macbeth's main reasoning behind killing numerous people was his need for control over Scotland. To summarize, the first effect of Macbeth's ambition is the murder of multiple people.

The second effect of Macbeth's ambition is his and Lady Macbeth's relentless feelings of guilt. His guilt is first seen when he experiences sleepless nights. His sleeplessness is shown when after killing Duncan, he says:

"But let the frame of this disjoint, both the worlds suffer, / Ere we will eat out meal in fear, and sleep / In the affliction of these terrible dreams / that shake us nightly." (III.ii.16-19)

He is having trouble sleeping because he is having nightmares of the murders. If he did not kill Duncan, there would be no substance to his nightmares, and thus, he would not experience them. Macbeth's feeling of guilt can also be seen during his dinner party when he sees the ghost of Banquo. He voices his feeling of guilt while he is being asked to sit down, but refuses as he sees the ghost of Banquo in his chair. He says: "Thou canst not say I did it: never shake/ Thy gory locks at me." (III.iv.50-51). He is so deeply affected by killing his best friend that he is seeing his ghost, when it really is not there. He is trying to tell Banquo that he did not kill him. Had Macbeth not killed his best friend, he would not be facing constant guilt, and in turn, complete insanity. Lady Macbeth also experiences a strong feeling of guilt as a result of Macbeth's ambition. Her guilt can be seen while she is sleep walking. She says to herself: "Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes / of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh! oh!." (V.i.48-50). Lady Macbeth cannot stop herself from feeling guilty. The blood she tries to rid her hands of is representative of her guilt. She wants to cover it up, but feels there is nothing she can do in order to do so. Macbeth's own actions were the main cause of all of his and Lady Macbeth's guilt. If he had been the cause of numerous murders, he would not be feeling terrible guilt. To conclude, the second most prominent effect of Macbeth's ambition is his and Lady Macbeth's relentless feelings of guilt.

The third most prominent effect of Macbeth's ambition is the change in Kindom leaders. Macbeth's ambition first alters the Kingdom leaders when he murders Duncan and thus, takes over his role as King of Scotland. The reader can see that Macbeth has become King when Banquo speaks of the witches' prophecies coming true. He states: "Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, / As the weird women promis'd..." (III.i.1-2). This quotation shows that as a result of Macbeth's actions, he is now King. The next point in which the Kingdom of Scotland encounters a change is when Macduff murders Macbeth. Macduff wants revenge against Macbeth, for he is enraged with him for killing his family. Macbeth's murder is shown when he says: "Before my body / I throw my warlike shield: lay on, Macduff, / And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'" (V.vii.61-63). Immediately after this quotation, Macduff sounds the call of triumph, declaring the death of Macbeth. Macbeth lacked the better judgement to restrain himself from killing Macduff's family, and therefore, suffers by means of his murder. The final change in Kingdom leaders that occurred as an effect of Macbeth's ambition is Malcolm becoming King. Macbeth's ambitions made him lose all control over his actions and essentially caused his own death. After his death, Malcolm was pronounced the new King of Scotland. This can be seen when Macduff says: "Hail, king! For so thou art. Behold, where stands / The usurper's cursed head: the time is free." (V.vii.83-84). Had Macbeth not killed so many people, causing bystanders to develop suspicion towards him and if he did not murder Macduff's family, Macduff would not have such strong intention to kill him. To sum up, the third most prominent effect of Macbeth's ambition is the change is Kingdom leaders.

In conclusion, the effects of Macbeth's ambition are: multiple deaths, his and Lady Macbeth's relentless feelings of guilt, and the change of Kingdom leaders. Throughout the play Macbeth made many detrimental decisions, which, although seemed positive immediately, for all intents and purposes caused him harm in time. Macbeth wanted to be named King, and therefore he did whatever he deemed necessary to gain and maintain the crown. He was not extremely effective as his later actions proved to be the cause of his own murder and in turn, the loss of his crown as King. Macbeth is a great example of what can happen to a person when they become overly concerned with their social status. Although in most cases, the results will not be as drastic, they will always lessen a person's character and the impression they portray to other people. In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions."