Theme Of Ambition In Macbeth
The Psychological Deterioration of Macbeth
Ambition is the driving force that gives humans the desire to achieve a certain goal. Ambition is the motivation that keeps us going and a revered trait by many. However, it is also a psychological drug. Like many drugs, ambition also has a dark, addictive side: what used to be determination turns into obsession. Once hooked, one will stop at nothing to get what he wants, regardless of the cost. The dangers of ambition can be seen in the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth, where Shakespeare illustrates the progressive destruction of all morality in the protagonist Macbeth, who turns from a valiant warrior & loyal friend into a power hungry sociopath. Initially, Macbeth is introduced as a fearless soldier and is celebrated by the nobles of Scotland, as well as the King: “For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name-” (1.2. 18) He is praised as a courageous and loyal man. Unfortunately, this character trait changes when Macbeth meets the witches who greet him with a prophecy telling him that he will be king: “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter.” (1.3. 53) Macbeth, blindly trusting the divination, is attracted to the idea of himself as king; and being an ambitious man, he plans on …show more content…
Enslaved by his ambition, Macbeth puts his desires first, and is eventually it destroys him. The progressive decline of Macbeth’s mental health is also a lesson for modern day individuals. Shakespeare teaches us of the dangers of ambition in the absence of values and morals. The lesson we learn as Macbeth descends deeper into the abyss of his madness is that ambition also has the power to corrupt us. While regarded amongst many as a good thing, too much ambition will cause a person to never be satisfied. Over ambitious people always want more; and like Macbeth, they will stop at nothing to get it, eventually leading to their own
Ambition is the driving force that gives humans the desire to achieve a certain goal. Ambition is the motivation that keeps us going and a revered trait by many. However, it is also a psychological drug. Like many drugs, ambition also has a dark, addictive side: what used to be determination turns into obsession. Once hooked, one will stop at nothing to get what he wants, regardless of the cost. The dangers of ambition can be seen in the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth, where Shakespeare illustrates the progressive destruction of all morality in the protagonist Macbeth, who turns from a valiant warrior & loyal friend into a power hungry sociopath. Initially, Macbeth is introduced as a fearless soldier and is celebrated by the nobles of Scotland, as well as the King: “For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name-” (1.2. 18) He is praised as a courageous and loyal man. Unfortunately, this character trait changes when Macbeth meets the witches who greet him with a prophecy telling him that he will be king: “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter.” (1.3. 53) Macbeth, blindly trusting the divination, is attracted to the idea of himself as king; and being an ambitious man, he plans on …show more content…
Enslaved by his ambition, Macbeth puts his desires first, and is eventually it destroys him. The progressive decline of Macbeth’s mental health is also a lesson for modern day individuals. Shakespeare teaches us of the dangers of ambition in the absence of values and morals. The lesson we learn as Macbeth descends deeper into the abyss of his madness is that ambition also has the power to corrupt us. While regarded amongst many as a good thing, too much ambition will cause a person to never be satisfied. Over ambitious people always want more; and like Macbeth, they will stop at nothing to get it, eventually leading to their own