Ambition Vs. Reasoning In Macb

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

critical interest in Macbeth's character is that he represents humankind's universal propensity to temptation and sin. Macbeth's excessive ambition motivates him to murder Duncan, and once the evil act is accomplished, he sets into motion a series of sinister events that ultimately lead to his downfall." (Scott; 236). Macbeth is told by three witches, in a seemingly random and isolated area, that he will become Thank of Cawdor and eventually king. Only before his ambition overpowers his reasoning does he question their motives. One place this questioning takes place is in the following passage:
As happy Prologues to the swelling Act
Of the Imperial Theme. - I thank you, Gentlemen.
- This supernatural Soliciting
Cannot be Ill, cannot be good. If Ill,
Why hath it given me Earnest of Success,
Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.
If Good, why do I yield to tat Suggestion
Whose Horrid Image doth unfix my Heir
And make my seated Heart knock at my Ribs
Against the ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

crown me. (Shakespeare; I, iii, 141-142)" is an excellent example of Macbeth's ambition. However his ambition is not overbearing, because he still considers the meaning of the supernatural soliciting instead of just accepting its seemingly optimistic prophesies. His ambition does not become overbearing until it is fueled by Lady Macbeth's own ambition. Macbeth's ambition is in sharp contrast to Banquo. Banquo comes across as much more hesitant to accept the witches prophesy. This contrast was created for a specific reason - to highlight Macbeth's tragic flaw. "One critical perspective views Banquo's function as essentially symbolic: he is portrayed as a man who, like Macbeth, has ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library. Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports, and research papers in 2 minutes or less.

CITE THIS PAGE: