Adam Cruttenden

Ms.Skirtich
13 December 2017
English 12: British Literature
Ambition to Kill

Macbeth's ambition for the crown ultimately leads to the death of him as well as his

friends and family. The world-renowned playwright who was the mastermind behind “Macbeth”

is William Shakespeare. His work has been around the world since the fourteenth century and he

has written over thirty plays. “Macbeth” is considered to be in Shakespeare’s top ten plays of all

time. Throughout "Macbeth," there are multiple different examples of ambition showcased and

further provides the dramatic structure of "Macbeth." Shakespeare exhibits ambition in

"Macbeth" through the characters of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Macduff.

Shakespeare first provides the theme of ambition in “Macbeth” through the character of

Macbeth. Macbeth, who is also the protagonist of this play, is a prime example of how ambition

can take over oneself. He starts off this play as a nobleman for the King of Scotland Duncan.

Once he receives the title “Thane of Cawdor,” he is persuaded by self-ambition and his wife's'.

This ambition is caused by the three witches who tell him his predetermined future which was

ultimately to be the crown of Scotland. Another prediction by these witches was that Banquo’s

ancestors will become king. This creates paranoia for Macbeth and gives him the ambition to

take out Banquo, “There’s blood upon thy face./’Tis Banquo’s then./My lord his throat cut; that I

did for him”(III. iv. 14-18). This is where the murderers speak to Macbeth about the killing of

Banquo. This is a key example of ambition by Macbeth because it shows that he will do

whatever it takes to become the king of Scotland, even murdering his best friend. Once he

murders Banquo, he sees his ghost at a dinner party. This causes him to see the witches a second

time so that he can figure out more of his destiny, “I conjure you by that which you

profess/Howe’er you come to know it, answer me./Though you untie the winds and let them
fight/Against the churches, though the yeasty waves/Confound and swallow navigation

up,/Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown/down,/Though castles topple on their

warders’ heads,/Though palaces and pyramids do slope/Their heads to their foundations, though

the/treasure/Of nature’s tumble/Even till destruction sicken, answer me/To what I ask you (IV. i.

50-61). This provides a thorough depiction of how bad Macbeth has become toward the end of

the play. His life has been transformed into strictly becoming king; therefore, he is forcing the

witches for another prophecy. When he does this, it shows the state that Macbeth has found his

way into. This is a poor state of mind that is teetering on insanity. Insanity does not lead to a

promising future in most plays written by Shakespeare either; an example being “Hamlet”.

Therefore, Shakespeare provides the theme of ambition through the character of Macbeth.

Likewise, Shakespeare showcases ambition in “Macbeth” through the character of Lady

Macbeth. Although she is not the leading role in this play, she affects the outcome of Macbeth’s

future tremendously. She first asks for help in being unsexed and becoming like a man so that

she can help Macbeth become the next king, “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts,

unsex me here, and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty”(I.v.41-45). This

is a very powerful scene to start the play off. She asks for help from the spirits to make her cruel

and is not reluctant toward death. This quote is to give her power and be able to lead Macbeth in

to believing he can become king. Her ambition is quite different from Macbeth’s, however. She

starts off ardent for power, but this slowly fades off toward the end of the play, “Wherefore was

that cry?/ The queen my lord, is dead”(V.v.15-16). Although this does not directly coordinate

with ambition, it is an example of how it can overpower one which ultimately leads to the death

of her. This is one of the few tragedies that occurs and really provides proof of ambition being
the most important theme. Shakespeare expertly showcases the theme of ambition through the

character of Lady Macbeth.

Lastly and evidently, Shakespeare infuses ambition in “Macbeth” through the character

Macduff. Macduff is the antagonist of this play, which plays a large role in the death and

downfall of Macbeth. He is the man who sets up the sabotage of Macbeth’s castle and then kills

him. He also is the man who tricks Macbeth because Macduff was not born of a woman. The

audience finds out about Macduff’s hatred for Macbeth during the middle of the play and it

grows as the play moves forward, “Sent he to Macduff ?/ He did: and with an absolute “Sir not

I,” (III.vi.39-41). This quote explains when Macduff denies Macbeth's invitation to a party

honoring him and is very angry toward him, causing a rivalry of some sorts. This is a very

crucial part of the play because it creates a protagonist versus antagonist conflict. He is one of

the first men to realize Macbeth is a faulty leader and that he stole the crown from Duncan.

Therefore, when he decides to attack Macbeth, he fights for his country, “O Scotland, Scotland!”

(IV.iii.100). This quote by Macduff shows his faithfulness to the country his father once ruled,

Scotland. He uses the country to convince Malcolm to fight with him which leads to the downfall

of Macbeth. This is vital to the tragedy of Macbeth because he then has almost everyone on his

side to win the fight. Throughout the book, Shakespeare infuses the theme of ambition through

the character of Macduff.

Overall, Shakespeare portrays the theme of ambition through the characters of Macbeth,

Lady Macbeth, and Macduff. He does this brilliantly and helps to further the plot of the play. It

also provides a perfect set up for the tragedy that occurs. Therefore, the theme of ambition plays

a vital role in the downfall of Macbeth and the crown of Scotland.