Macbeth Ambition Research Paper

Words: 755
Pages: 4

Macbeth Ambition Essay Ambition plays a huge role of character development in Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”. Ambition is defined as wanting to have more then you have, and wanting it right at that moment. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, I believe that ambition is what drives the story line and what causes a series of events to occur that could lead to that ambition being found. The main goal in the play is for Macbeth to become king, but it could be argued that the ambition for Macbeth to become king could be Lady Macbeth’s ambition and not actually Macbeth’s. Ambition is a motivating force towards many people’s success. However, too much ambition can result in chaos
Macbeth thinks upon the prediction that he will become King and says “If chance will have me King, why chance may crown me without my stir.” This quote means that if Macbeth is to become King, it will happen without him having to do anything. King Duncan invites himself to Macbeth’s castle. This is when Macbeth’s ambition turns for the worst. He writes to his wife and tells her of the witches and there predictions. She knows that Macbeth is ambitious but fears he is too noble to make sure the prediction of him becoming King is fulfilled. Lady Macbeth states in Act 1, Scene 5:
…show more content…
It is obvious that Macbeth begins to take the role as a noble man. He risks his own life to protect Scotland from Norway and the traitorous Thane of Cawdor. King Duncan acknowledged Macbeth's bravery by naming him the new Thane of Cawdor, "What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won," (Act 1, Scene 2). One would think that such an accomplishment as Thane of Cawdor would satisfy Macbeth's ambition. However, this is not the case. He kills Duncan in his ambitious quest to gain even more power and later is consumed by paranoia and