Macbeth's Ambition

Macbeth's Ambition

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it may appear that the obvious effect which caused Macbeths downfall was his ambition. However, Macbeth’s ambition wasn’t the sole cause of his downfall there were many factors that brought him down. His trust of the witches, and listening to his greedy wife were not very wise decisions, along with Banquo egging Macbeth on. Macbeth began to be attracted towards evil; he gradually became insane including talking to himself on a regular basis. All of these problems had a huge effect on Macbeth’s mind, by making him believe that he will become a successful king with no one in his way to stop him. When Macbeth finally discovers that his manipulation by others has got the better of him, his downfall arrives which leads to the death of Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth is portrayed to be an evil and manipulative lady. Her evil convincing ways allows her to achieve everything she wants without moving a muscle. Lady Macbeth, who is an attractive young woman, persuades Macbeth by insulting his masculinity. Macbeth would always think things through and get to a stage where he would hold back on his actions. Until Lady Macbeth would influence him by saying things like “When you durst do it, then you are a man.” Lady Macbeth states that by Macbeth killing Duncan, he is worthy of a man. Lady Macbeth’s control over Macbeth leads him to commit terrible acts which involve murder, making Macbeth accept all the blame.

The three wicked witches, with there fortune telling and evil witchcraft messed with Macbeth’s mind. Forcing him to commit several murders in order to make him king. Throughout the book Macbeth is portrayed to be a mighty warrior, a valiant cousin to King Duncan. Macbeth was foolish enough to listen to the witches and believe everything they told him. Before Macbeth met the witches he was a loyal warrior, he had no ambition to be king at all. The wicked witches exploited Macbeth into becoming someone he wasn’t.

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