Ambition is defined, by a dictionary definition, as a strong desire for fame and power. In order to determine if MacbethÃÂs actions are related to his own ambition it is necessary to define the components of ambition. In order to have an intense desire for something, three components must be present. There has to simply be a desire, wish, or dream, one must have the ability to take action, and lastly doubt and obstacles to the goal must be repressed. According to the aforementioned criteria, ambition is indeed responsible for MacbethÃÂs actions.
The first characteristic of ambition is desire. An underlying desire for a thing or object must be present from the onset before a goal can be realized. Macbeth showed his desire to be king in numerous situations. When the witches mention Macbeth will eventually be crowned king, he becomes instantly overwhelmed with thoughts of murder and treason. Banquo notices MacbethÃÂs expression and says, ÃÂGood sir, why do you start, and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?ÃÂ (I.iii.54-55).
This illustrates MacbethÃÂs thoughts were one of fear and apprehension because he knew that in order to become king, the deaths of many will ensue. If Macbeth did not have even a spark of desire for the kingship, the mention of him being king, by the witches, would have been ignored without any thoughts of fear. Another proof that Macbeth had an underlying desire is seen when the second prophecy came true. Macbeth expectedly says, ÃÂGlamis, and thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behindÃÂ (I.iii.124-125). Macbeth would only get excited that his kingship is still to come if he had an innate desire to be king.
It may seem as if the witches planted the seed in his mind for the desire to become king, however the...
Ambition misdescribed and misapplied
Where did the supposed components of ambition come from? The author gives no basis for these.
When Macbeth is first told that he will be king, he is indeed overcome, but is it more than supposition on the part of this writer that he is thinking of murder and treason. He was Thane of Glamis by birth, and he may well have known that Cawdor was implicated in the rebellion he had just put down, so that getting Cawdor could not have been entirely out of the realm of possibility. Given that the crown was not hereditary, he way well have thought himself more worthy of the succession than Malcolm.
As to the obstacles between Macbeth and the crown, the essay is muddled by the idea that ambition is only real is there is a possibility of success. Consider the very numerous young men who aspire to careers as rap stars. For how many of these would-bes is there a chance of success. Or the young football players who want to be the next Peyton Manning, LaDamian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes. Do they have no ambition because their goals are completely out of line with reality. Further, after the first encounter with the witches, Macbeth might well have believed the crown would pass to him without killing anyone.
Is Macbeth the primary murderer of Duncan, or is this a crime that is driven by Lady Macbeth? This is always one of the most dramatic conflicts in the play. Who is the real villain? For any woman serious about doing Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth is one of the great roles.
In short, this essay creates a rather artificial series of components to ambition and then applies them in a way that fails to reflect a sound understanding of the background of the play. It does not make for a production sufficiently impressive to warrant a good score.
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