Macbeth's Ambition

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prophecies. Macbeth expresses his enthusiasm to hear more of this �strange intelligence� and wishes �they had stayed�; on the contrary, Banquo is palpably more cautious and wonders if both Macbeth and he have �eaten on the insane root�. By illustrating how eager and prepared Macbeth is to trust the witches, who, in Shakespearean times were considered to be enemies of society, Shakespeare stresses Macbeth�s ambition which noticeably contrasts with Banquo�s sensible and doubtful reaction. Shakespeare�s use of allowing Macbeth to talk �aside� about Duncan�s �murder� which, although now is �fantastical�, makes the audience realise that Macbeth is already strategising.

When Duncan declares that his son, Malcolm, is to become King, Macbeth immediately sees Malcolm as a �step on which [he] must fall down, or o�erleap�. By conspiring against Duncan and Malcolm, Shakespeare reveals how Macbeth�s ambition causes him to change from loyal to treacherous. However, Macbeth is aware that by ...

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