Shakespeare in "Macbeth" uses the theme of ambition to send a warning to the audience of the Jacobean era that unchecked ambition and hubris can lead to their downfall, that their is always consequences to someone action.
Shakespeare highlight the theme of ambition as cruel and cunning to reveal the corruption of desire and cause tension for the audience, and to expose the consequence of unchecked ambition in the play. When Macbeth and Banquo meet with the three witches for the first time, Macbeth boldly claims to himself that "My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man" here, Macbeth is highlighted as interested as he is already thinking about becoming king. Shakespeare's uses visual imagery of Macbeth shaking at the thought of becoming king highlight to the audience how grand his ambition is and how he cant control it too the point he's physical shaking. Shakespeare also foreshadows death of king Duncan and how Macbeth wont be able to control his ambition which will later lead to his own downfall. The words "state of man" explores how Macbeth through his ambition to become king may begin to loses his mind and become a tyrant who hubris leads him to paying the consequence of his actions and Shakespeare using Macbeth to show the audience the consequence of unchecked ambition. Shakespeare reinforce this point at Macbeth's castle where he finds out about Lady Macbeth death where he coldly exclaims that " Life's but a walking shadow... tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing" here, Macbeth is highlighted as a tragic hero who has let his ambition get the better of him. Shakespeare's uses of dark imagery explores how Macbeth at the start of the play was a warrior who serve his country with valour and loyalty, and is now a tyrant who is hated and let his hubris take him down a dark path. Shakespeare also uses symbolises as Macbeth is potrayed as a man who ambition was unchecked and overruled his morality, now that he has his success it is meaningless and hollow and all that is left is guilt which leaves him broken and his life meaningless. the word "nothing" highlights Macbeths nilism and belief that life isn't worth living as he has let his pride and desires take over. Therefore this links to the Jacobean era as the murder of a king was a wicked act which was seen as the ultimate sin and Macbeth lets his dark desire push him into committing regicide to realise his ambition, however he pays the prices of his sins with his life, Shakespeare uses Macbeth as a warning to the audience that treason to the king has consequence and that ambition that isn't checked leads to consequence.
Shakespeare explores the idea of ambition through greed and dark desires that create a uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience and to reveal the consequence of murder in the play. When Macbeth is plotting about killing king Duncan he frantically claims to himself that " but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and fall upon th'other" Here, Macbeth is highlight as panicked and confused as he wonders if he should go through with the murder. Shakespeare's uses of metaphors explores how Macbeths ambition being a horse that falls on itself shows how he knows his ambition will lead towards his downfall yet he still wants to achieve his twisted desires highlighting his fatal flaw his hubris. the word "vaulting" highlight Macbeths deceptive nature and how he must hide his true ambitions to achieve his desires and shows his cunning behaviour. Shakespeare reinforces this point at the banquet, Macbeth coldly claims to Lady Macbeth that " I am in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'ver." Here, Macbeth is highted as troubled and corrupted as his inner conflict is revealed. Shakespeare uses of metaphors highlights how Macbeth has killed and sinned so much that he cant go back and still follows his ambition which leads him to his avarice desires. the word "blood" symbolises Macbeths inescapable guilt which is so deep that he cant go back which is leading to him suffering more and losing his peace. Therefore this links to jacobean era through Guy Fawkes night where the foiling of the gun powder plot in 1605, which was an attempted to assinate king James I, Shakespeare uses Macbeth mental state as a warning to audience as treason and muder have serious consequence.
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