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  • Essay / Power and unchecked ambition in Macbeth

    The position of king is an honorable title desired by many. Before a king, subjects must humble themselves and know their place, so as not to cross the boundaries between themselves and the king. Dedicated to King James I, William Shakespeare constructs a play that reminds people of their role as subjects. In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare warns the audience against excessive ambition and reveals how aiming too high is beyond the power of man. Through the character of Macbeth and the symbolism of blood, Shakespeare demonstrates how a virtuous man can be corrupted by his overly ambitious thoughts to control destiny, ultimately leading to his own demise. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay At first, Macbeth is patient because he is loyal, but when he grows impatient and tries to control fate, fate remains unchanged. When the witches first give him the prophecy, Macbeth is horrified because he knows his place as a subject of the king. Although Macbeth assumes that he must kill Duncan to fulfill the final prophecy, he "gives in to this suggestion/Whose horrible image undoes my hair/And makes my heart sit against my ribs" and decides to let fate play out (I.III). .147-149). As Duncan's most worthy follower, treason for the crown is too treacherous; therefore, loyalty prevents Macbeth from murdering Duncan immediately. Macbeth still has morals, is prudent, and understands that killing the king means treason. Although Macbeth wishes to remain faithful, the idea of ​​rising to the highest position tempts him. The throne is his destiny, but Macbeth still wonders whether he should act or not. Weighing the pros and cons of killing Duncan, Macbeth wonders if his ambition is worth the price. Macbeth is aware that “we have yet here judgment, which we only teach/bloody instructions which, when taught, return/to torment the inventor” (I.VII.8-10). The bloody instructions represent the murder of the king; thus, Macbeth knows that karma will punish him. Yet Macbeth rids Duncan and forces his fate to happen immediately. As time goes by, Macbeth loses patience and his ego grows. With false security, Macbeth assumes his position as king and Hecate predicts how “he will reject fate, despise death and carry his hopes “above wisdom, grace and fear” (III.V.29 -31). Duncan's murder quickly gave Macbeth the throne, leading Macbeth to believe that he can control destiny and get what he wants. While Macbeth forgets crimes and punishments, he only thinks of profits. He compromises his morals out of greed, which makes him despicable. Ultimately, Macbeth learns that taking matters into his own hands to shape his destiny makes no sense. With his efforts in vain, Macbeth describes how controlling fate “is a story/told by a fool, full of sound and fury,/meaning nothing” (VV29-31). Macbeth's fall remains a reality. All efforts to prevent the end of his reign only solidify his fate. Through Macbeth's futile attempts, Shakespeare demonstrates how impatience drives the prudent mind to act ruthlessly when man attempts to shape his own destiny. However, destiny will not change no matter how ambitious a person is. Destiny is not under his control. Although Macbeth plans his actions to alter his destiny, he has no power over fate and receives hatred and death as punishment. Additionally, unchecked ambition creates false hopes that deceive Macbeth and inspire him to pursue his selfish desires through murder.