Ambition and Power

• • Macbeth is a play that is a warning against those who seek to undermine or overthrow the role of a rightful king
  • Macbeth is a tragic hero, with his hamartia being ambition
  • Macbeth, at first, is presented as a noble and loyal general in his attempt to cling onto power
  • Macbeth then commits regicide, then the murder of his best friend as well as women and children. He is condemned to death by Macduff
• Shakespeare's intentions:

  • Shakespeare is presenting a morality play to his Jacobean audience: allow yourself to be morally corrupted and act against societal norms and you will suffer the consequences.