ambition

• summary

  • ambition is the driving force of macbeths rise and fall
  • lady macbeth initially pushes macbeth to act on his ambition, but later regrets it
  • unchecked ambition leads to paranoia , tyranny, and ultimate destruction
  • shakespeare warns of the dangers of overreaching ambition and its consequences.
• Act 1, scene 3

  The witches plant the seed of ambition in macbeth by prophesying his rise to kingship.
• Act 1, scene 5

  LM manipulates M, questioning his ambition and resolve.
• Act 1, scene 7

  M debates the consequences of killing duncan, revealing his internal conflict.
• Act 2, scene 2

  M & LM react differently to their ambitious crime.
• Act 3, scene 1

  M, now king, plans banquos murder to secure his power
• Act 3, scene 2

  M reveals his growing paranoia and determination to continue his violence.
• Act 5, scene 1

  LM descends into madness, showing the psychological cost of ambition
• Act 5, scene 5

  M reflects on the futility of life, showing how ambition has led to his downfall
• "lifes but a walking shadow" M

  macbeth now sees life as meaningless, showing the reality of the tragic consequences his unchecked ambition has brought him.
• “two truths are tad, as happy prologues to the swelling act of this imperial theme”

  shows his excited anticipation of becoming king through the act ; happy, demonstrating that the seeds of ambition have been sewn in his head. He is fully convinced by the witches.
• “i have no spurs to prick the sides of my intent… vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other”

  Doubts his plan to kill duncan. Complicated metaphor comparing himself to a horse rider who overestimates his ability to leap and falls. Recognises his ambition has risks & is leading him down a dangerous path in this solioquy
• “stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires”

  Macbeth expresses a desire for darkness & secrecy. He wants the stars(symbolising light/goodness) to conceal his ambition & evil intentions from the world. Reveals his fear of judgement & shows his internal conflict.
• Macbeth's ambition is fueled by the prophecy given to him by the witches
• Lady Macbeth is more ambitious than Macbeth at the beginning of the play
• Macbeth's ambition leads him to commit murder
• What does Macbeth see in his vision before killing Duncan?

  A bloody dagger
• Macbeth's ambition is justified because he is a courageous warrior

  False
• The ghost of Banquo haunts Macbeth during a banquet
• What does Macbeth order his assassins to do to Fleance?

  Kill him
• Lady Macbeth's ambition is driven by her desire for power
• What is the prophecy about Macbeth's downfall that he receives from the witches in Act IV?

  No man born of woman
• Macbeth believes he is invincible after hearing the witches' prophecy
• Macbeth is eventually killed by Macduff, who was born via caesarean section
• What does Macbeth say about life in his famous soliloquy in Act V, Scene 5?

  A brief candle
• Macbeth's ambition leads to his tragic downfall and the restoration of order in Scotland
• Match the characters with their roles in "Macbeth":

  Macbeth ↔️ The protagonist

  Lady Macbeth ↔️ Macbeth's wife

  Banquo ↔️ Macbeth's friend

  Duncan ↔️ The King of Scotland
• Arrange the following events in the order they occur in "Macbeth":

  1️⃣ The witches give Macbeth the prophecy

  2️⃣ Macbeth murders Duncan

  3️⃣ Banquo's ghost appears at the banquet

  4️⃣ Macduff kills Macbeth
• Macbeth's ambition drives him to ignore his conscience
• Lady Macbeth's influence diminishes Macbeth's ambition

  False
• What does Macbeth see in his second vision from the witches in Act IV?

  Armed head
• Macbeth's ambition leads him to order the murder of Macduff's family
• Macbeth's downfall is solely caused by the witches' prophecies

  False
• What does Lady Macbeth say about Duncan while persuading Macbeth to kill him?

  He is too kind
• Macbeth's ambition ultimately leads to his loss of sanity
• Macbeth's ambition is encouraged by external forces but driven by his own choices
• What does Malcolm do after Macbeth is killed?

  Becomes king
• Macbeth's ambition is often associated with his fatal flaw
• Macbeth's ambition is a driving force for both his rise and his fall
• What is the primary force driving Macbeth's actions in the play?

  Ambition