What Is The Theme Of Ambition In Macbeth

Many works of English literature introduce a common theme of ambition to accomplish an assigned task. These oeuvres demonstrate how determination can have a positive or negative effect on any character. Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a well-known example, introducing ambition as one of its major themes. Macbeth’s objective to rise in power directly influences his character development, resulting in a tragic ending. Shakespeare uses various effective literary terms to illustrate this main message throughout the play. Some elements include descriptive language to ensure that the audience is able to visualize in the perspective of Macbeth, meaningful symbols that have a strong significance contributing to the theme of motivation, and a very contrasting

Macbeth quickly transforms from a loyal and well-respected leader to a backstabbing tyrant.

The lasting images that Shakespeare create represent the mood and atmosphere of the scene, and how the audience feels reacting to Macbeth’s actions when he is pursued by his desire. In the beginning, the readers visualize positivity and light using the imagery. Generally, light symbolizes the good and the powerful. Act I Scene VI describes the scene of Lady Macbeth greeting King Duncan as he agrees to stay at Macbeth’s castle for one night. This scene’s setting is contrasting with the others as it takes place in daylight, in a beautiful serene setting. The plot in this scene occurs before the murder, as a positive image is placed within the reader’s mind. King Duncan describes Macbeth’s castle as: “This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air/ Nimbly and sweet recommends itself/ Unto our gentle senses” (Shakespeare 1.6,1-3) when he first arrives. The light that the audience visualizes from the words “pleasant, sweet and gentle” soon disappears, as the majority of the remaining scenes are filled with a mysterious, ominous mood, representing the evil. This represents that Macbeth’s

The most significant symbols include the witches and blood. The Three Witches, are the ones who first give Macbeth the thoughts of murder. After meeting the witches, they greet Macbeth by calling him the Thane of Glamis, the Thane of Cawdor, and the King of Scotland, which represent the past, present, and future of Macbeth. This scene provides rising action as Macbeth’s personality is slowly contrasting the traits that he once possessed. At first, Macbeth is confused when addressed with three different titles. He does not yet know that he is to become the Thane of Cawdor. After Ross reports to Macbeth that Duncan will reward the title to him for his bravery, Macbeth begins to reflect, thinking that the prophecies must be true. He understands that if he wants to be king, he must first kill the current king. Upon his reflection of how to proceed after hearing the news, he says to himself“I am thane of Cawdor./ If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,/ Against the use of nature? Present fears/ Are less than horrible imaginings.” (1.3, 137-142) The three witches can be seen as the first turning point in the play, as they were the first to give Macbeth the idea of murdering Duncan. He states that the thoughts of murder make his hair stand and his heart pound. After