Lady Macbeth's Ambition

Ambitions can be positive or negative, but in Macbeth’s case, his aspirations are evil and lead to a negative outcome for him and his wife, Lady Macbeth. With the peer pressure of Lady Macbeth on his side, he is able to murder many innocent, yet powerful people. Throughout the story of Macbeth, the corrupt ambitions of the murderous couple guides them to their own deaths. The cause of their deaths is ultimately their cynical intentions to kill everyone in their path. Their ambitions, intentions, and aspirations lead them to a negative outcome. While the Macbeth duo suffers the consequences of their ambitions Macduff goes through the opposite. His ambitions lead him to the undertaking of a vile couple and guides him to a positive outcome.

Macbeth fuels his ambitions through the witches and kills many of his counterparts such as Banquo and Duncan. Macbeth engulfs himself in his dangerous aspirations and becomes conceited as a result. His immersion in his ambitious ways ushers him to be slain by the Thane of Fife, Macduff.

Then yield thee, coward,

And live to be the show and gaze o’ the time! We’ll have thee, as our rarer monsters are, Painted upon a pole, and underwrit “Here may you see the tyrant.” (5.8.27-31)

Macbeth’s prideful ways prevents him from surrendering to Macduff. His ambitions did not only cause his brutal death, it also causes him to be audacious and cocky. In the battlefield he is incredibly conceited. He is wound up in the witches prophecies, his ambitions, and boastful behavior and tells Macduff that he is simply wasting his effort and time. Thou losest labor. As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed. Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests. I bear a charmed life, which must not yield To one of woman born.

Whether positive or negative, it showcases both sides to ambitions. The measures Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Macduff take are based off of intentions and prophecies they are willing to utilize in order to achieve the end goal. Ambitions can be both a blessing and curse, depending on the intentions of the person that holds it. While Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use their ambitions for their own personal gain by killing many innocent people , Macduff was able to see the flaws in Macbeth and gain the kingdom back from the corrupt ruler. Macduff uses his ambitions for the greater good while the murderous duo did the opposite. Ambitions can only be handled precisely and positively when in the correct