Ambition

• "like valour's minion" ↝ [a1s2]

  • Simile portrays Macbeth as the epitome of courage & chivalry.
  • Implies that Macbeth is an inferior servant of valour - he will blindly turn to violence & conflict, foreshadowing his vicious & brutal ambition.
• "For brave Macbeth...which smoked with bloody execution" ↝ [a1s2]

  • Metaphor implies violence is a destructive force, just like fire.
  • He is 'brave' & highly skilled with his sword - both traits we typically associate with heroism. Shakespeare shows how violence & bloodshed are romanticised in the context of war. Because Macbeth is fighting for his country, his actions are righteous & honourable - ironic as when he behaves in the same ruthless way later, he's viewed as tyrannical & horrific.
  • Shakespeare could be criticising the culture of aggressive masculinity & honourable warfare.
• "Stars, hid your fires...The eye wink at the hand" ↝ [a1s4]

  • Showcases how Macbeth wants to operate in darkness. This means he could avoid detection from others but more importantly, he doesn't have to witness his own corruption and villainy.
  • Metaphor - 'eye' represents Macbeth's consciousness & awareness, 'hand' represents his actions & reality.
  • This quote exemplifies the contradictory, fragmented nature of Macbeth's character. The duality between light & dark is a symbol for the conflict between his morality & ambition.
• "I have no spur...but only vaulting ambition witch o'erleaps itself" ↝ [a1s7]

  • Macbeth's hamartia is exemplified as he openly acknowledges that ambition drives him & influences him to act on his actions.
  • Suggests that ambition makes people think illogically & over-estimate themselves.
  • Shakespeare highlight Macbeth's hubris. This marks Macbeth's first act of heresy - excessive pride is condemned in the bible as it precedes destruction & leads to a fall. This foreshadows Macbeth's inevitable downfall.