This Grade 9 Essay explores the theme of ambition within Macbeth, the hamartia of the two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. It is presented by Shakespeare to be sourced from the supernatural, derivative of evil as it leads the characters eventually to spiral in guilt and insanity. Written ...
You are advised to spend about 40 minutes on this question.
You should use the extract below and your knowledge of the whole play to answer this question.
How does Shakespeare present the theme of ambition throughout the play?
In your response you should:
refer to the extract and the play as a whole;
show your understanding of characters and events in the play.[25]
5 of this question’s marks are allocated for accuracy in spelling, punctuation and the use of
vocabulary and sentence structures
Macbeth is a Shakespearean tragedy written in 1606 and based around the
downfall of the Scottish noble. Ambition, the main theme of the play is presented
as the hamartia of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, remaining a driving force
throughout the entire play. However, Shakespeare juxtaposes Banquo’s harmless
and controlled ambition with Macbeth’s erratic and uncontrollable desire for
kingship.
In A1, S3 Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s ambition through his eagerness
to learn more of the witches. He demands; ‘Stay you imperfect speakers. Tell me
more.’ The use of imperatives: ‘stay’ and ‘tell’ shows his curiosity towards the
prophecies, and presents his ambition though the title of kingship has only just
been prophesised to him. The use of the short statement: ‘Tell me more’ further
exemplifies how enthralled he is by the prophecies. He then appears to vacillate
towards what the prophecies stating: ‘Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor. The
greatest is behind.’ The use of the nouns ‘Glamis’ and ‘Cawdor’ reveal how he
almost revels over these titles, however he does not appears surprised that he
has just been given the title of ‘Cawdor’. This emphasises his immediate fixation
and focus on kingship, and his ambition for this position. He refers to kingship
with the superlative ‘greatest’ against reflecting his ambition for only the best,
and that anything less will not satisfy him. Banquo however comments: ‘That
entrusted home Might yet enkindle you unto the crown.’ The use of the modal
verb ‘might’ demonstrates Banquo more reigned ambition, as he only mentions
the possibility instead of instantly taking the prophecies into account like
Macbeth does. Macbeth then quickly becomes obsessed with the notation of
kingship his vacillation expressed through his soliloquy. He states: ‘as happy
prologues to the swelling act.’ He undermines the title of thane of Glamis and
Cawdor by referring to them using the noun ‘prologues’ highlighting that he feels
these titles will lead him to kingship, showing his ambition as it is immediately
presented as his main goal. The adverbial phrase 'swelling act'
indicates Macbeth’s growing ambition, and expectations – he places all of of his
trust in the witches’ prophecies. He seems to acknowledge however, this is
a metaphysical coincidence, indicated through the use of sibilance in the
, phrase ‘supernatural soliciting' perhaps illustrating his thirst and ambition for
the crown. Shakespeare then presents Macbeth as horrified at his own ambitious
and murderous thoughts: ‘why do I yield to that suggestion... horrid images doth
unfix my hair.’ The noun ‘suggestion’ refers to the murder of Duncan, and
implies how uncontrollable his ambition is as he cannot contain his own thoughts
from thinking of murder. He seems alarmed by these thoughts, the
verb ‘unfixed’ implicates how unused Macbeth is to his own thoughts and his
strong reaction to simply the thought of murder. Banquo comments: ‘Look how
our partners rapt.’ The use of the adverb ‘how’ stresses that Banquo does not
understand Macbeth’ fixation with the prophecies, and demonstrates his more
reigned and controllable ambition. The verb ‘rapt’ emphasises the depth of
Macbeth’s emotions and obsession with kingship, Shakespeare presenting
ambition as a corrupting and consuming emotion.
In the next scene A1,S4, Shakespeare presents the destructive and
corrupting nature of ambition again, when Macbeth hears that Duncan makes
the Prince of Cumberland the heir to the throne, stating: ‘stars hide your fires let
not light see my black and deep desires’. The noun ‘stars’ alludes to white light
and innocence; this light is then paired with the noun ‘fire’ - a fierce and
destructive light, perhaps representing Macbeth’s ambition. The fluidity created
by the one syllable words possibly alludes to Macbeth’s out of control ambition
and emotions, the adjective phrase ‘black and deep' highlights Macbeth’s cruelty
and wickedness, linking him to the supernatural, the adjective ‘deep’ perhaps
alluding to how intense Macbeth’s ambition is and how much of a driving force it
is behind all of his actions.
In A1, S5 Shakespeare effectively demonstrates Lady Macbeth’s ambition,
and her determination for Macbeth. She states: ‘Shalt be what thou art
promised.’ The modal verb ‘shalt’ depicts her resolve to and ambition – she
does not allow any possibility of failing into her mind. She comments
Macbeth: ‘wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without the illness
should attend it.’ The noun ’great’ conveys her ambition for him to become
better than he is, though she completely ignores the titles that he already has.
She then comments that Macbeth has ambition but without the ‘illness’, the use
of this noun denoting how corrupting ambition is, as it is associated with disease.
Shakespeare uses this to perhaps foreshadow Lady Macbeth’s own mental illness
and deterioration later in the play ambition clearly presented as her hamartia.
However, she doubts whether her husband will be able to commit the regicide:
‘yet do I fear thy nature, it is too full o’th’milk of human kindness.’ The verb
‘fear’ demonstrates how dark her ambition is, as she fears the goodness in her
husband and that it will prevent him from murdering. The noun ‘milk’ connotes
purity and innocence and illustrates how she views these good qualities as
almost destructive to her plan, showing how wicked ambition has made her
intentions. Shakespeare then presents the extent to which Lady Macbeth’s
ambition drives her as she calls n spirits: ‘Come you spirits... unsex me here.’
The noun ‘spirits’ highlights how her ambition drives her towards the
supernatural, revealing again the dark and pernicious nature of ambition.
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