Theme Of Ambition In Macbeth - 876 Words

Shakespeare’s 17th century play Macbeth, is a timeless tale of fate, power, and the consequences of ambition. Despite vastly different interpretations across the centuries due to different cultural and historical contexts, the story remains powerful and relevant today because of its universal themes. Since the play was essentially written for King James I, Shakespeare heavily reinforces the king’s own beliefs and values. Although we do not follow these doctrines in the present day, the literary techniques used throughout Macbeth transcend cultural and historical barriers and touch on the fundamentals of human nature, and ambition’s role in society. In Macbeth, there are two types of ambition presented, one leading to order, and the other†¦show more content†¦This idea reflects the original purpose of the play, to reinforce the king’s rule and his ideology of ‘The Chain of Being’. When Macbeth begins to disrupt the ‘natural order’ and take power for himself, â€Å"The earth was feverous and did shake, (2.3.53)† it retaliated to Macbeth’s act and is described â€Å"as troubled by man’s act. (2.4.5)† A falcon is described to be â€Å"tow’ring in her pride of place, (2.4.12)† in her status as top of the natural hierarchy only to be â€Å"hawked at and killed. (2.4.14)† Light and dark are depicted as having emotions, of opposing each other as â€Å"night’s predominance, or the day’s shame,† engulfed the world â€Å"when living light should kiss it, (2.4.7-9)†. Due to Duncan’s murder, the light is ashamed of m ankind, and night dominates the skies. In the modern day, we have a different idea of ambition. There is a drive to move up in the world, to prove ourselves, and it is considered desirable and progressive to subvert stereotypes. This is quite opposite to the ideas presented in Macbeth, that staying in your place will guarantee order and prosperity, while subverting the norm will lead to chaos and destruction. Religious symbolism is an integral technique in Macbeth, which draws a clear contrast between good and evil in the minds of the audience. Witches were considered by most in Jacobean England to be real beings, servants of the devil. ByShow MoreRelatedThemes Of Ambition In Macbeth1038 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeares Macbeth, means that the blood of the victim will seek out the blood of the murderer; in this case, that is Macbeth. This play is full of many central themes that display the different sides of the characters. Although Macbeth proves to be very power hungry; greed, ambition, and also revenge fuel the individuals in this play, whether it be for the right or wrong reasons. Ambition, a strong desire to do or achieve something, is a theme that shows throughout all of Macbeth. The most ambitiousRead MoreTheme Of Ambition In Macbeth1277 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s play of Macbeth tells a tragedy that was caused by the major theme of ambition, which is greatly emphasized throughout the story by having Lady Macbeth, a key character whose ambition will push her husband Macbeth to the edge along with his flaw of being too ambitious where the two become the driving force of the play that will eventually seal their fate. In the play, Macbeth who is the main character has the flaw of having too much ambition but his conscience will hold back his desiresRead MoreTheme Of Ambition In Macbeth1552 Words   |  7 PagesIn the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, ambition is the key theme throughout the plot. It is the sole reason the events occur as they do. Many refer to Macbeth as the play of ambition due to this very reason. However, as we read through the play we begin to see effects of each character’s desires on themselves as well as those who surround them. We see some characters follow their ambition through violent ways while some achieve it through manipulation. Three characters in particularRead MoreTheme Of Ambition In Macbeth917 Words   |  4 PagesMacbeth Essay In the play Macbeth, there are several different themes used by the author (Shakespeare). Some of the themes that are used in the play are ambition, guilt, things are not what they seem, and natural vs unnatural. Every theme used in the play is very important to the story. Ambition is one of the themes that is used in the play that are very important to the story. Most of the characters are shown to have ambition towards something at some point or another throughout Macbeth. OneRead MoreTheme Of Ambition In Macbeth1213 Words   |  5 PagesAmbition, a trait which underlines success, but while unchecked can lead to self or societal corruption. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, â€Å"Macbeth†, a brave general falls into tyranny and paranoia after he acts immorally upon the witches prophecies. Macbeth’s pursuit of long lasting power reveals the consequences of hubris and unchecked ambition, which ultimately leads to the the deterioration of his human nature and the corruption of the kingdom. Through the use of thematic motif, the theme ofRead MoreTheme Of Ambition In Macbeth754 Words   |  4 PagesOne theme in Macbeth is ambition. We see all different types of ambition through out the story. The first instance is when Macbeth sends a letter to his wife tell her what the weird sisters said. He told Lady Macbeth that they said he would become king after becoming Thane of Cowdar. He also told him wife that he would to anything to make sure that comes true. After Lady Macbeth read this she wanted to make sure her husband would become king. She has a few concerns though, To catch the nearest way:Read MoreTheme Ambition In Macbeth985 Words   |  4 Pagesconsequences. Macbeth was written in 1606 by Shakespeare. It is important that you understand the text in order for you to know what is going on in the play. Federigo’s Falcon was written in the 14th Century after the Black Plague. The story was told the 5th day of the journey. Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that has 3182 long lines. It is important because it is written in Old English and is the oldest poem. It was written in the time between the 8th and the 11th century. The theme ambition is seenRead MoreThe Themes Of Ambition In Shakespeares Macbet h853 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent themes displayed in Shakespeares famous play Macbeth. Many of these themes play with nature, the supernatural, and fate. From ghosts to horses eating each other the play uses symbolism, language, and characters to portray these themes. During the play the audience learns of several themes such as ambition, guilt, fate versus free will, nature versus the unnatural, and how things are not always as they seem. Anyone who has read or seen Macbeth knows that his great undoing was his ambition. AmbitionRead MoreTheme Of Ambition In Macbeth915 Words   |  4 PagesThe undeniable power of unbridled ambition and its ramifications are extensively portrayed within William Shakespeare’s tragedy; Macbeth. Within this play, ambition is portrayed as a corrupting and unquenchable force through the main concepts of mental imbalance, supernatural behaviors and betrayal. The consuming desires of Macbeth and their repercussions are vividly enhanced through the use of various expressive literary techniques. Ultimately, Macbeth is a play that explores and reiterates theRead MoreThe Theme Of Ambition In Macbeth And Enders Game880 Words   |  4 PagesAmbition in human nature is so powerful that it can blind one’s vision of achieving success. Both Lady Macbeth’s ambition from Shakespeare’s MacBeth and Peter’s ambition from Card’s Ender’s Game blinds judgement and logic, and they eventually end up more harming than succeeding. In the play MacBeth by Shakespeare, MacBeth is strangely met by three witches, who declares his prophecy of being king, but later losing the crown. Lady MacBeth ambitious goal for MacBeth remain king results in her going