Journal of The Undergraduate Research

Running head: AMBITION IN MACBETH
AMBITION IN MACBETH
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

AMBITION IN MACBETH1
Ambition is one of the major traits that is present within the psyche of human beings. The
ambitious nature as demonstrated within the human psyche is one of the major traits that lead to
the downfall of the given person. Macbeth is one of the most celebrated plays that has been
composed by William Shakespeare. The playwright has demonstrated the theme of an unjustified
ambition within the play. The playwright highlighted the fact that the protagonist of the play,
Macbeth, has been under the influence of a great ambition that was not his to maintain. The
decline to the evil nature of Macbeth is in stark contrast to the honorable position that he
maintained as one of the army generals of the country of Scotland. The following paper
highlights the issues that are presented in the life of Macbeth due to the high amount of the
ambition that was instilled in him by the three witches. The paper highlights the ways in which
the issues presented in Macbeth bears a proper relevancy in the modern ages as well.
The play in discussion, Macbeth, is one of the most celebrated Shakespearean plays that
has a huge relevancy in the present days as well. The play highlights the fact that there has been
a huge tragic flaw that is maintained by the character. The character is known to have been
dealing in the ambition that he is gaining on the basis of the prophesies that were highlighted by
the witches who had met the general on his return from the battlefield (Bradley, 2015). The
witches had interrupted the war generals, Macbeth and Banquo on their return from the
battlefield. The witches are known to have been appraising Macbeth with a number of titles. The
witches highlight the various accolades that have been received by Macbeth and are yet to be
received.
FIRST WITCH: All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!
SECOND WITCH: All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

AMBITION IN MACBETH2
THIRD WITCH: All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!
(Shakespeare, 2019)
The legitimacy of the comments is questioned by the general and are observed to have
been coming true. The prophesy of the second witch is observed to have come true in a very
short time when Ross confirms the accolade that had been granted to Macbeth on winning the
battle. This leads to the increase in the ambition of Macbeth though he is yet not observed to
have been acting out of the dire need to establish the truth of the prophecies that are highlighted
in this scenario. This highlights the humble nature of Macbeth and his honorable nature as has
been highlighted in this scenario. The conditions as have been observed in this stage of the play
highlights the fact that Macbeth has not been operating out of any corruption (Youtube.com,
2019). The confirmation of the news regarding the accolade and the title that was bestowed on
Macbeth was accepted by the general in a good heart and he had been extremely happy with the
title of the “Thane of Cawdor” (Shakespeare, 2019). The changes that are observed in the general
are highlighted when he is influenced by Lady Macbeth in order to acquire the post of the king of
Scotland as had been prophesized by the third witch. The instigations on the part of Lady
Macbeth fills the mind of Macbeth and almost forces him to take steps so as to assassinate the
good old King Duncan (Sisson, 2017). Macbeth is observed to have yet been shaky in the
completion of the act yet proceeds with the same due to the several instructions and instigations
from his wife, Lady Macbeth.
The innocence in Macbeth is observed to be present even after the murder of the king.
Macbeth is observed to have been hearing a typical noise. This noise depicts that sanity is still
left in the minds of Macbeth. The sanity as maintained by Macbeth is observed to have been
demonstrating the fact that the corruption has yet not affected Macbeth.