The tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare outlines how lust for power can bring about the corruption of the human person. This clearly evident in the character Macbeth, whose ambition to become King of Scotland ultimately leads to his tragic demise. Through the prophecies of the evil beings, an insignificant seed was planted in Macbeth, however, the thirst of power he was tempted to drink. Through persuasion by his soul mate, his vaulting ambition began to grow without hesitance. The desire to stay King and preserve his title, called the tyrant within him to unleash its wrath on anyone who stood in his path, even his closest friends. Each step bringing him closer and closer to the evident end.
The seed of ambition planted in Macbeth’s heart brought about his downfall. Macbeth, was given a glimpse of prosperity through the witches prophecies, “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.” Despite Banquo’s warnings, “Often times, to win us our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequences”, Macbeth was curious to explore the predictions of the instruments of darkness. In effect, thoughts of murder and betrayal entered his mind. “If good, why do I yield to that suggestions, whose horrid image doth unfix my hair.” Thus, the monster within began to alter Macbeth’s mind into thoughts of greatness.
Notwithstanding countless resistance against his own ambition, Macbeth ultimately gave into his own ambition by which he was driven to his end. Lady Macbeth, seeking her own ambition ultimately used Macbeth for her own gain. Through her cunning persuasion techniques Macbeth was helpless but watch ambition turn against him. “When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man.” Despite resistance, “We will proceed no further in this business”, it was really a matter of time till greed got the better of him, “I am settled; and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat.”
Regardless of the fact that Duncan was God’s anointed and appointed monarch, Macbeth was willing to kill his own relative in exchange for his tragic downfall. Driven by lust, Macbeth invited Duncan for a feast at his home, only by deceiving Duncan of the two faced Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. “Make our faces vizards to our hearts, disguising what they are.” Though Macbeth knew the evil of his actions, he was willing to trade his heart with the devil. “I am afraid to think what I have done; look on’t again I dare not.” Overcome by sadness of the death of his relative Macbeth had truly realised the extent of his actions, “What hands are here! Ha-they pluck out mine eyes! Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.” Though Macbeth wanted to stop, he could no stop his uncontrollable ambition.
Despite the fact that Macbeth achieved his aim, his ambition lead him to his demise through killing more to conserve his innocence. Macbeth ruthlessly killed the innocent guards in their sleep, excusing himself by asking, “Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man.” In killing the guards Macbeths ambition was evident. After the first kill Macbeth was able to kill without hesitating. Macbeth has realised that it would be easier to keep killing than to turn back. “I am in blood stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.”
Even though Banquo was Macbeth’s closest friend, the attempted murder of Banquo and Fleance stepped him closer to his demise. Feeling threatened by Banquo’s knowledge of the witches’ prophecies Macbeth had decided to terminate him.
Regardless of the fact that everyone had turned against him, Macbeth’s ambition refused to step down, bring about his inevitable downfall. When Macduff, had went to seek help from Malcolm, Macbeths fury was seen in his act for slaughtering Macduff’s innocent wife and children. By killing everyone who stood in Macbeths way, Macbeth had turned Scotland upside down.
In essence, the tragedy of Macbeth depicts how ambition can bring about the downfall of a human person. Through deceptive predictions, Macbeth’s mind began to construct evil thought to attain greatness. His ambition became apparent when his allowed to be persuaded into Killing. Through his first act of murder, Macbeth had become obsessed with his power and title and continued to kill for his ambition, which inexorably brought about his finish.
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