Themes - Ambition + Power

• How does Shakespeare present ambition in 'Macbeth'?

  As a negative character trait
• Ambition in 'Macbeth' is portrayed as a determination to succeed at any moral cost.
• In Act I, Scene VII, Macbeth says “vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
• What does the verb "vaulting" suggest about Macbeth's ambition?

  Overcoming any obstacle
• Macbeth is willing to commit regicide to fulfill his ambition.
• Ambition is Macbeth’s fatal character flaw, his hamartia
• What role does Macbeth's ambition play in his downfall?

  It leads to evil acts
• Order the consequences of Macbeth's ambition according to the play.

  1️⃣ Murder of King Duncan

  2️⃣ Revenge sought by others

  3️⃣ Macbeth's conscience torments him

  4️⃣ Macbeth's mental disintegration

  5️⃣ Macbeth is killed by Macduff
• Shakespeare uses 'Macbeth' as a morality play to warn against undermining legitimate rulers.
• Shakespeare suggests that those undeserving of power will be destroyed by it
• What does Shakespeare contrast in 'Macbeth' regarding rulers?

  Legitimate kings vs tyrants
• Being consumed by ambition or hubris leads to terrible consequences in 'Macbeth'.