ambition

• key ideas

  • Ambition is the hamartia of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
  • Relentless pursuit of desire, fuelled by an insatiable ambition, becomes the catalyst for their inevitable mental and physical collapse, ultimately culminating in their tragic downfall.
  • Ambition is the driving force behind the tragedy in the play.
  • Macbeth is constructed as a tragic hero who undergoes a fall from grace as a result of his overindulgence in ambition.
  • Ambition deceives individuals into an illusion that they can transcend social, political and divine constraints.
  • Deceptive allure inevitably collides with the harsh reality of existence and destiny set out for them by God.
  • Ambition will mentally rot the faculties of your mind whilst making you believe you’re indestructible.
  • obstructs individuals from seeing their true ephemeral nature.
• intentions

  • Central theme to underpin the play, revealing its morally corrosive and blinding influence driven by egocentric aspiration.
  • Shakespeare allows his audience to examine the inherent flaws + capriciousness of human nature.
  • Illuminates how ambition, when in the wrong mind, can readily justify a belligerent pursuit of power, status, and violence.
  • The allegorical play aims to teach the audience that even in the presence of divine authority, ambition is so omnipotent it wins.
  • He cautions his audience about succumbing to the seductive allure of sinful temptation.
  • It will lead to a life permanently separated from God and united with the devil.
• macbeth- “vaulting ambition which o‘erleaps itself and falls on th’ other“


  • Personification – personifies his ambition, portraying it as possessing a potency comparable to a human force that can exert influence and corrupt his formerly innocent mind.
  • Acknowledges his hamartia – incipient awareness that his all-encompassing ambition is what ultimately leads to his mental and physical decline.
  • Alternatively portrays Macbeth as a victim ensnared by his own ambition, showcasing his introspective understanding of its fatal consequences – vulnerable to its relentless influence.
  • Metaphor – metaphorical portrayal of his “vaulting ambition” draws a parallel between him + a jockey who is unable to manage an untameable, almost animalistic force.
  • depicts macbeths struggle to control his ambition nature but also suggests self deception
  • he can harness control over ambition - transcends the societal, political and divine limitations
• macbeth- “with tarquins ravishing strides towards his design”


  • Contextual: Alludes to Roman tyrant Tarquin, who raped a virtuous woman, so he can embody what it means to be a ruthless bloodthirsty leader.
  • Ambition fuelled by ingesting masculinity in the hands of Lady Macbeth (Act 1). Power becomes synonymous with brutality.
  • This perception is compounded by his insatiable ambition which propels a relentless pursuit of dominance through brute force.
  • Diction “design” connotes intentional creation, mirroring Macbeth’s intention of creating his assured position as king through ambitious pursuit.
  • Despite his transgression of natural order in this pursuit, the seductive allure of that temporary power and authority obstructs him from seeing the permanent and eternal consequence he will face.
• banquo - “royalty of nature”


  • act 3
  • Imagery on “royalty” connotes an image of divine ordination,signalling Macbeth’s acknowledgement of Banquo’s moral stature and responsibility – akin to one chosen by God.
  • Banquo serves as a foil to Macbeth, epitomising an ideal balance between ambition and respectability.
  • Macbeth descends from being “worthy” to a “hell-hound” – he contrasts sharply with Banquo’s retention of ambition and piety.
• banquo - “he hath wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety0


  • A 7 deadly sin – Macbeth is the epitome of the sin of envy,as he desires Banquo’s capacity for courage in tempering ambition and abstaining from succumbing to “deep desire”.
  • Diction of “guide” connotes leadership, revealing Macbeth’s initial attempt to direct and lead his ambition.However, he succumbs to its potent influence, rendering him vulnerable in stark contrast.
  • Banquo emerges capable of self-governance, steering clear of temptation or sin.
  • Ambivalent portrayal of Banquo stands as the antithesis to Macbeth’s bloodthirsty depiction, underscoring the contrast in their responses to ambition’s compelling force.
• lady macbeth- “make thick blood”

  • “make thick blood stop up th’ access and passage to remorse“
  • imperative “make thick blood” illustrates how she commands for emotional restraints and a callous indifference
  • recognises her aspirations for tyranny requires a detachment from femininity and the encompassing emotions
  • lady macbeth seeks to rid herself of those elements to pave the way for her ruthless ambition
  • characterised as seductive and manipulative lite into sin
  • rejects womanhood and motherhood typical trope off femme fatal
• lady macbeth - “a little water clears of this feed”

  • act 2
  • litote presents lady macbeths omnipotent ambitions blind her to macbeth mental turmoil
  • her callousness becomes apparent through her litotes
  • “a little” trivialised the regicide whilst simultaneously emasculating macbeth, encouraging him further along his murderous path
  • euphemism characterises regicide as a mere “deed” highlighting a paradoxical aspect of her charecter
  • despite ambitions to rid of feminine traits and embrace tyrannical brutality
  • struggles to articulate the gravity of heinous act
  • foreshadows descent into melodramatic carcass of insanity in act 5
  • grapples with inability to fully grasp enormity of sins