Ambition is a powerful force in our daily lives. It can influence our actions and decisions. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth demonstrates the concept perfectly. Macbeth’s desire to be in power overrides the ability to recognize moral boundaries. This theme is developed by Macbeth, whose ambition can lead to his demise. Macbeth’s actions are illogical, he lies to others and he develops pride and self-confidence.
Macbeth takes irrational actions because of his power-lust. Macbeth’s killing of Duncan is an example. Macbeth warns Duncan not to hear his footsteps, or the direction they are walking, just moments before entering Duncan’s quarters. Take the current horror out of the past. While I threaten, he survives. /. Macbeth’s desire of becoming king drives him beyond moral boundaries. Macbeth is driven by ambition, which overrides any other senses. Macbeth then takes another irrational step by planning to kill Banquo. He knows Banquo’s suspicions are growing over his murder of Duncan. As he is talking to Lady Macbeth in the next room, Macbeth turns around and says: Come seeling Night,/ Scarf up that tender eye of a pitiful Day,/ And by thy Bloody and Invisible Hand,/ Cancel and tear apart that Great Bond / That Keeps Me Pale! /. Macbeth is driven by his growing desire for power to perform this irrational and impulsive act. Macbeth’s constant paranoia shows how his ambition has begun to affect him negatively. Macbeth murders Macduff’s entire family out of frustration when Macduff leaves for England. Macbeth says, “The firstlings in my heart will be the firstlings in my hand” while he is with Lennox inside the Witches’ Cave. This action signifies the beginning of Macbeth’s demise as well his ambition. Macbeth is driven by his ambition to power, which overrides any moral sense. He acts out of revenge and fear. Macbeth uses Duncan’s close relationship with him to fool him into believing that Macbeth is not going to do anything. Duncan says that Macbeth is “a valiant man” at the banquet. Whose concern is gone, to greet us: It’s a peerless relative. Macbeth is so deceitful that Duncan doesn’t know what he’s planning. This shows how Macbeth is blinded by ambition and can cross moral boundaries to gain power. Macbeth then deceives Duncan’s chamberlains in order to hide his involvement. Macbeth confesses to his fellow actors that he regrets his fury after finding Duncan’s corpse. Macbeth kills the servants because his ambition to be powerful obliterates all doubt. This shows how Macbeth’s ambition is negatively affecting him.
Macbeth lies to Lady Macbeth about his true intentions regarding Banquo. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he has no intentions to harm Banquo. He says she should not know anything about it until she applauds the act. Macbeth has ambitions for absolute power. This leads him to believe that he must walk this path by himself. The increasing distance between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth illustrates the effect that ambition can have on Macbeth, contributing to his ultimate downfall.
