The Detrimental Effects Of Unchecked Ambition In Shakespeare's Macbeth

Ambition is the force that drives us all to be better and work harder; however, if that ambition is used simply to better ourselves at the expense of others it can hurt all of those involved. In his play, Macbeth, Shakespeare shows how the overriding nature of ambition can hurt not only those oppressed by the leader but the leader themselves. Macbeth is a minor lord in Scotland. He is given a prophecy that one day he will be king, by a set of three witches. After learning this Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth set out to solidify their power by any means necessary. Even going so far as to murder the king and Macbeth’s best friend. However they end up riddled with the guilt of their crimes and Lady Macbeth takes her own life as Macbeth is killed on the battlefield. Shakespeare uses mirroring language to show that the detrimental effects of unchecked ambition once leaders have become intoxicated with it

Shakespeare uses similar language of deceptiveness to show the detrimental effects on morality in the pursuit of ambition. Macbeth, a minor royal, is given a prophecy that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and then will take the throne. At first, he does not believe his fortune as the Thane is still alive. However the King presents him with the new title; with an aspect of the prophecy coming true Macbeth claims,” Stars, hide your fires./ Let not light see my black and deep desires,”(1:4 56-57). Seeing that his prophecy is coming true Macbeth eye’s the throne for his taking. Seeing as he cannot attack the king in open he decides to move in secrecy. He begins his statement with a request of the star. By asking the star to “hide their fire” he asking that the world not see what he is planning on doing. Next, he uses the personification of stars through the word “see” to show that the world is always looking, but he cannot let anyone see his ambition to take power. Finally, he calls his deep desires “black”, through the metaphor of black desires he implies that although he hopes to be king, he still sees his violent ambition as wrong. In addition, to Macbeth’s masking of his ambition, Lady Macbeth covers her plan to become queen. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth invite King Duncan to their palace with the intent of murdering him in his sleep. As they prepare to kill, Macbeth becomes nervous. Lady Macbeth instructs him that he must, “Bear welcome in your eye/ (…) look like th’ innocent flower;/ But be the serpent under’t,” (1:6 74-77). Lady Macbeth first instructs him that he must “Bear welcome” meaning that when Duncan is to arrive he must greet him in a cordial way. She uses the word “eye” to imply that his cordial behavior must be seen by Duncan as to not arouse suspicion. Next, she states that he must look like an “innocent flower”; the metaphor is used to imply that he cannot let anyone see his intentions. Next, she counters her previous statement with the antithesis that he must be the “serpent”. The serpent is an allusion to the devil as he is described as a serpent throughout Genesis. She claims that while being a serpent he must also hide behind that innocent flower. Much like Macbeth’s claim that he must hide his intentions from the stars. Macbeth believes that he must keep his “black” ambitions from the world.. Likewise, Lady Macbeth express that he must hide behind the image of being innocent and not allow King Duncan to discover his ambition to take the throne. Macbeth calls the Ambition to be king wrong; however, she only describes that his ambition should be “serpent” like. Thus, showing that Lady Macbeth hopes he will relinquish any aspect of a moral code, instead she believes he should look only to his ambition for power. Despite, the fact that he sees his ambition as evil, he does not stop his actions. Rather, Macbeth asks only that the stars not show what he is planning to do. Thus, exhibiting his unchecked ambition as neither he nor his wife will stop his pursuit of power. Through similar language of secrecy of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, Shakespeare show how morality can be eroded in the ambition for power.
Shakespeare uses similar language of manhood to show the emotional determent of toxic masculinity in pursuit of political ambition. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan for the execution of King Duncan. However, just as the final steps for the plan are set in place, Macbeth begins to waiver on the idea. Lady Macbeth retorts to his uncertainty by exclaiming,
What beast was ’t, then,
That made you break this enterprise to me?
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,(1:7 53-57).
She begins her attack on her husband by asking what “beast” was stopping him from committing the murder. The use of beast suggest that she believes his natural ambition would be enough to force him to want power. The beast is in reference to Macbeth’s own morality which keeps him from killing Duncan and taking the throne. Next she claims that when was willing to do the deed, he was “a man”. By saying that he was a real man when he was uninhibited by morals, Lady Macbeth is playing off of a toxic masculinity mindset which requires a man to be violent; for him to even be considered a man. She continues with the statement that he will be so much “more the man” implying that once he commits the murder it will reaffirm his manhood. Using the anaphora of the word “man” she emphasizes the importance of manhood in relation to ambition and power within the world. By forcing this mindset on her husband, she is able to harness his natural ambition while setting aside all morality for the goal of political power. Macbeth echoes Lady Macbeth’s teachings as he chastises murders he plans to send on Banquo. Banquo is the last threat Macbeth feels to his power and sends a group of assassins to dispose of him. Macbeth exclaims as they begin to question their mission,
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,(…)
are clept All by the name of dogs. (…)
That writes them all alike. And so of men.
Now, if you have a station in the file,
Not i' th' worst rank of manhood, say ’t,(3:1 95-105)
He first compares them to the various types of dogs.

Stating that all types from the most purebred to “mongrels” are all under the same classification. He then likens them to men stating that all men from the highest rank to the lowest rank could be considered men. However, he claims that their manhood’s could be ranked; implying those who do not commit acts of violence are less of a man on a ranking. Like his wife, Macbeth compares those with empathy or questioning of their ambition animals. As the beast of Macbeth natural emotions and the dogs of the murder’s manhood’s. The use of comparisons to beast is used to diminish men who do not put their ambition before compassion or do not use violence to accomplish these goals. Also, like Lady Macbeth, he claims that they are barely men now; however, they can reverse it by committing an act of violence. Thus, reinforcing a view of manhood through the lens of toxic masculinity. Using similar language of toxic masculinity, Shakespeare show the detrimental effects of questioning one’s manhood in the ambition to gain

power.
Shakespeare uses the similar hyperbole of blood to show the suppressing nature that guilt creates after the infatuation of ambition has been allowed to overtake a person. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have killed King Duncan to take the throne. After the brutal murder of the king, Macbeth washes his hands of the blood as he questions, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/ Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/ The multitudinous seas incarnadine. Turning the green one red,” ( 2:2 77-81 ). Macbeth begins his rhetorical question by asking if all of “Neptune’s ocean” could wipe the blood from his hands. With the use of an allusion to the Roman god of the seas he implies the large scale of his guilt. As he shows that all of his oceans could not wipe away. Hyperbolic in nature, the use of the metaphor of blood shows that his guilt is liquid like and will creep into all and emphasizes the expanse of the emotion. Next, the use of the word “clean” implies that Macbeth is trying to remove every aspect or permanent removal of guilt. He answers his own question by the claim that rather than clean his hand the “multitudinous seas” will simply turn the color of his blood. Thus, proving that his guilt is so large it would infect all of the sea of the world. Finally, he claims that the green of the sea will turn red; in this metaphor, he depicts the world as a natural state that is corrupted by the guilt of his blood. Likewise, Lady Macbeth shows her guilt of the murder through blood; a doctor is called and he observes as lady Macbeth speaks in her sleep. As she walks, she rushes to a sink exclaiming, “Here’s the smell of the blood still. All/ the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little/ hand. Oh, Oh, Oh!” (5:1 52-55). Lady Macbeth states that she still has the “smell of the blood” on her, this hyperbolic metaphor suggests that while the physical blood is not observable, the senses pertaining to the crime can still be comprehended. Both Macbeth and she use the metaphor of blood to show their guilt; however, her statement contrasts Macbeth’s as he attempts to cleanse himself of the physical guilt of the murder. She then claims that not even all of the “perfumes of Arabia” will stop the smell of blood. Like Macbeth she wants to expel her guilt which she believes is the root of her emotional distress. Not like Macbeth, she is trying merely to cover up the remnants of the act, in contrast to him attempting to wash all of the guilt away. Showing that the guilt of her persuasion in Duncan’s murder has had such a profound effect that she has entered into a state of denial of her culpability. Finally, her use of the words “little hand” alludes to her own feeling of lack of control of the situation. Proving that once the murder was committed she was suppressed by the guilt of the crime. Macbeth also uses the metaphor of a hand; but he does not diminish his accountability or remove his sense of emotional control as a result of the guilt. As Macbeth sees his guilt as self-inflicted and wishes to rid himself of the guilt. With the use of similar language of blood and hand metaphors Shakespeare shows their guilt and the problems that have aroused by their actions; to allow their own ambition to take hold of them to bring about Duncan’s murder.
Through the use of similar language between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Shakespeare is able to prove the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition as it drives leaders to unspeakable acts they would otherwise not have committed. As a result of the of their ambition, they plan and then hide theirs plans to take power. After they have taken power they guilt others into committing crimes for them to ensure their power remains; Through the questioning of people’s manhood’s. Finally, however their power will be strained as the guilt of their violence will inevitably creep back into a leader’s life. To become a leader, you must have power. However, if one is willing to allow their ambition of power to override all other aspects of their life. That power will come at such a price it will be deemed pointless.