Macbeth's Unchecked Ambition

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Macbeth's Threat to Political Order Introduction Leadership plays a massive role in ensuring a society is stable and records success. Shakespeare's Macbeth has dived into the destructive nature of poor leadership by highlighting how unchecked ambition, in addition to an unlawful grasp for power, ends up disrupting societal order. The play Macbeth is a perfect example of how improper leadership changes contributed to Scotland's society descending into chaos and facing uncertainty. In Macbeth, Shakespeare shows how Macbeth's rise to power through murder breaks the natural political order, leading to chaos in Scotland. What is it precisely about Macbeth's leadership that's destructive? This essay looks at how Macbeth's unchecked ambition and disregard …show more content…

She challenges him to be as bold in his actions as he is in his ambition when they learn that King Duncan will visit their castle (1.7.36-43). Together, they successfully killed the king, breaking the Great Chain of Being, which was not only a sin but also went against the natural order by removing someone from their God-given position in society. The play begins by portraying the picture that the nation of Scotland is under a lot of stability courtesy of the leadership of King Duncan; however, his death via murder causes the country to head into chaos. The murder being an inhumane act is showcased, with Macbeth immediately regretting his actions. Macbeth expresses his remorse and horror at what he has done after killing King Duncan by stating, "I am afraid to think what I have done; look on't again I dare not" (2.2.54-55). But this guilt passes quickly. After learning of Duncan's murder has been discovered, Macbeth murders the guards and claims he did it out of rage, stating, "O, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them" (2.3.104-105). In actuality, Macbeth murders them to cover up his crimes, illuminating the beginning of his moral …show more content…

“To leave no scrubs nor botches in the work, Fleance, his son that keeps him company,” showcasing that he still believed in witches prophecies that Banquo’s descendants would ascend to the throne and that he sees Fleance’s son as a threat to his rule so therefore he has to kill him. 3.1.52-54. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secon This rule, full of violence, brought a lot of suffering to Scotland, and this was evident in how he ordered the slaughtering of innocent families, mainly from those individuals he thought were a threat to his tenure as king. Restoration of Political Order The play's ending also emphasizes that the hierarchy of order within society will always be restored by chosen leaders who do not govern with an iron fist, as opposed to Macbeth, who rose to the top leadership position by murder. The great chain of being is fulfilled by Malcolm and Macduff, who led the fight against the illegitimate king Macbeth and overthrew him as prophesied by the three witches, “Lead our first

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