MACBETH

QUESTION - Through deliberate choices in the construction of texts, composers explore interesting and challenging insights into ambition and desire.
Discuss this statement in light of your study of Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth.
INTRODUCTION - Ambition, the desire for achievement, is a natural human emotion that is neither negative nor positive; however, ambition can be destructive when
unchecked by moral constraint. Shakespeare explores this idea in his play, Macbeth, a tragedy that depicts the downfall of a Scottish general who, encouraged by
supernatural forces and his own wife, commits regicide in order to gain power and become king. Macbeth is a penetrating analysis of personal desires and political
ambition that challenges responders to absorb the lesson of disallowing one’s ambition to destroy all that is valuable to an individual, society and country.
INSIGHT EVENT TEXTUAL EVIDENCE / QUOTE TECHNIQUES ANALYSE INTERPRET
Ambition is a Shakespeare’s portrait of Brave Macbeth Positive Establish Macbeth as a loyal, brave and altruistic Shakespeare’s
powerful Macbeth is complex and the Noble Macbeth adjectives character who is well respected. deliberate
trait that can audience is invited to see Worthy gentleman character choices
competing sides of his nature Valiant cousin
have positive show that ambition
and, through him, of
outcomes humanity. itself lacks the
when applied Banquo is also established as They were cannons Simile Together with Macbeth, Banquo displayed strength capacity to destroy
appropriately a loyal and noble subject. overcharged with double and courage on the battlefield in order to fight for if harnessed by
and within cracks. King and country. moral constraints;
the bounds Both Macbeth and Banquo Stay you imperfect speakers Command Suggests Macbeth is consumed and entranced by however, even
of societal are tempted by the witch’s Rapt withal Description the prophecy. good men are
prophecy.
expectations. vulnerable to the
Speak then to me Dialogue Banquo also appears ambitious as he is eager to
seductive and
hear a prophecy pertinent to him and is pleased
when he learns that his heirs will be kings. destructive
Macbeth’s thoughts very why do I yield to that Aside Reveals that Macbeth is prepared to disrupt the possibilities of
quickly turn to regicide. suggestion Whose horrid natural order of the universe in order to gain power.
image doth unfix my hair And power. While regicide was a common occurrence in
make my seated heart knock 11th century Scotland, it was not common in early
at my ribs. 17th century England. The Divine Right of Kings
said that monarchs were God's appointed
representatives on earth, so rebellion was treason
and sin against God.
Banquo’s dramatic function The instruments of darkness Characterisa Equal in status and similarly ambitious, Banquo
is to provide a foil for tell us truths…to betray ‘s In tion expresses unshakable moral principles. He resists
Macbeth. He proves that the deepest consequence. temptation and yet passively fulfills his destiny
temptations of the witches while Macbeth actively fulfills his own.
may be successfully resisted. Keep my bosom franchised
and allegiance clear.
Ambition can be While Macbeth questions the
destructive when it depraved nature of his desires,
transcends well he loses his moral compass for
the sake of power.
established morals.

Lady Macbeth is clearly willing to

do whatever is necessary to
seize the throne. Her strength of
purpose is contrasted with her
husband’s tendency to waver.

Both Lady Macbeth and

Macbeth must use deception in
order to achieve their goals.

Macbeth sinks deeper and

deeper into immorality.
The destruction The actions of Macbeth and his
wrought when wife have personal
ambition goes consequences.
unchecked by moral
constraints, finds its
most powerful
expression in the
play.

However, the consequences are

more far reaching and adversely
impact on society as a whole.

Due to Macbeth’s actions,

Shakespeare encapsulate the
idea that the natural order of
the universe has been
unsettled, therefore, the tragic
ending of the play is a
necessity.