Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare about a Scottish lord who murders the king in order to take the throne. Macbeth is consumed with ambition and his desire for power blinds him to the consequences of his actions. He pays for his crimes with his life, but not before causing immense bloodshed and suffering. Macbeth is a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind ambition.
The thinking of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is completely subverted and undermined throughout the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. From the start, Macbeth was able to restrain his ambition, however it grew too strong for him eventually, overpowering him. In contrast, from the outset, Lady Macbeth was overcome by her desire. After deciding to murder Duncan, reasoning ceased.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambition lead to their own destruction. Macduff, Macbeth’s only equal, was not destroyed by Macbeth because Macduff had no ambition. Ambition is what drove Macbeth to his death and in the end it was his undoing. Macbeth’s blind ambition caused him to make poor decisions which ultimately cost him his life.
Lady Macbeth displays many of the same qualities as her husband, such as her overwhelming ambition; however, she does not have the same fighting spirit that Macbeth has. Lady Macbeth also falls victim to hallucinations and mental instability brought on by guilt. In the end, Lady MacBeth commits suicide due to her guilty conscience. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s story is a prime example of how blind ambition can lead to one’s own destruction.
After the first of many meetings, Macbeth told the witches: “Good angels we know you; And those too in their heaven. We would counsel you yet once again.” Even though he was aware of their presence, it did not help him much – they continued to guide his decisions.
The decision to kill Duncan also symbolized the final serious attempt at moral reflection by Macbeth. We see that the ambition of Macbeth completely overwhelmed his reasoning abilities and led to his downfall throughout the novel. Macbeth, who was originally a very reasonable and moral man, succumbed to temptation.
Macbeth demonstrates the dangers of blind ambition in a number of ways. Macbeth murders Duncan to gain the throne, but this murder also signals his destruction. Macbeth is so blinded by his ambition that he does not see that killing Duncan will only bring more trouble and destruction on himself and his family.
Macbeth is also very confident in his ability to get away with the murder, but as we know, Macduff is able to foil Macbeth’s plan and bring him to justice. Macbeth is ultimately destroyed by his own ambition. Ambition can be a very good thing if it is used in the right way, but when it is misused like in Macbeth, it can lead to destruction. Macbeth is a perfect example of how ambition can be a dangerous thing.
Even as he questions their intentions, Macbeth does not draw the logical conclusion that these three criminals are pushing him down a path of evil and despair. He comments that their visit “cannot be” anything negative or beneficial, and goes on to explain why it cannot be either. At least we see here that his ambition has not entirely overwhelmed him. Not only does Macbeth initially doubt the witches’ motives, he also later doubts the ethics of assassinating Duncan.
Macbeth does not want to be evil and does not want to do bad things. However, his ambition is so strong that it begins to blind him and push him in the wrong direction. Macbeth’s blindness leads him to ignore all of the warning signs and ultimately causes his downfall.
Macbeth’s ambition causes him to become a victim of his own greed and lust for power. Macbeth is not content with just being king; he wants to be a god. This thirst for more and more power eventually destroys Macbeth. Macbeth’s ambition makes him reckless and careless, and it costs him everything. In the end, Macbeth is a tragic figure because his ambition leads him to his doom.
“First, since I am his relative and subject, I may use the strength that is given to me against the crime; then, as a host who should not carry the knife himself. Furthermore, because Duncan has exhibited such great qualities of humility and clarity in his significant duty that his virtues will plead like angels with a trumpet-tongued voice against his removal. ”
Macbeth knows that killing Duncan is wrong, and yet his ambition is so strong that he cannot resist the temptation to kill the king. Macbeth’s blind ambition leads him to commit regicide, which brings about his downfall.
Second, Lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth to kill Duncan. She says “He that’s coming Must be provided for; and you shall put This night’s business into my dispatch: So, can you not be a man? When I have plucked your rose, you must find The thorns to prick your fingers. Macbeth! Thou shalt do it; and fail not: for I will leave thee nothing That may justly grieve me” (Shakespeare; Macbeth; I, vii, 43-48).
Lady Macbeth is urging Macbeth to kill Duncan because she knows that Macbeth is not a man of action. She knows that Macbeth is too afraid to kill the king on his own, so she is trying to convince Macbeth to do it. Lady Macbeth’s words show her ruthless ambition, which leads her to commit murder.
Third, Macduff shows us the effects of blind ambition when he says “O horror! Horror! Horror! Tongue nor heart Cannot conceive nor name thee!” (Shakespeare; Macduff; IV, iii, 121). Macduff has just found out that Macbeth has killed his wife and children. Macduff is horrified by Macbeth’s actions, and he shows us the terrible consequences of blind ambition. Macduff’s words remind us that the price of ambition is often high, and that it can lead to terrible things.
In conclusion, Macbeth’s blind ambition leads him to commit regicide, which brings about his downfall. Lady Macbeth’s ruthless ambition leads her to commit murder. Macduff shows us the terrible consequences of blind ambition. All of these examples illustrate the dangers of blind ambition.
