The Corruption of Humans Caused by Ambition in The Tragedy of Macbeth, a Play by William Shakespeare

Power has the capability to destroy one’s nature, hence producing one particular capable of doing issues that they generally wouldn’t intend on undertaking. The principal theme that is revealed in The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is that humans are corrupted by unchecked ambition. Unchecked ambition is an uncontrollable drive for power or success and can be classified as the greed for much more than what one particular already has. The corruption of unchecked ambition that is illustrated throughout the entire play is most evidently shown by means of the character of Macbeth. Macbeth is very first demonstrated as a courageous Scottish noble, who is not naturally exposed to committing evil deeds, but he deeply desires energy and advancement. Right after his first encounter with the 3 witches, Macbeth is determined to do whatever it takes in order to make his prophecies come true along with the push from Lady Macbeth. All through the play, he progresses from a noble gentleman to a tyrant, through the killing of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s household. Via the course of his actions, Macbeth progressively progresses towards his tragic downfall.

In Act 1, Macbeth is 1st introduced as a noble respected common, a devoted husband, and a loyal topic of the king. Macbeth is initial described by the wounded Captain, as he updates the king on the Scott’s battle with the Irish invaders, who were led by the traitor Macdonwald. The captain tells the king that Macbeth fought with excellent courage and violence, and that he slew the traitorous Macdownald. Macbeth was deemed a hero. He was the doer of great deeds, and the possessor of great powers and strength. After the King hears about this good news, Duncan indicates that he is very proud of Macbeth’s bravery as he states. “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman! (1.two. 24) Duncan’s excitement over Macbeth proves that Macbeth was genuinely viewed as a noble basic who will hack his way to victory for his king and nation. King Duncan, overjoyed, decides to make Macbeth his new Thane of Cawdor. Later on in the Act, Macbeth has his 1st encounter with the witches as they grant him his first three prophecies. Up to the point exactly where Macbeth meets the witches, the audience identifies him as an ambitious individual by way of his actions in service to the king. Although he is a courageous Scottish basic who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, he deeply desires power and advancement nevertheless will not let himself to believe of these evil deeds. In this moment of the play, the witches addressed Macbeth as future king, which lead to Macbeth wanting to become king. He rationalizes with himself the validity of his expanding ambition as ‘Two truths are told, as happy prologues to the swelling act”. (1.3.130). In Macbeth’s aside, is starting to take into account killing the King, nonetheless, he admits to reconsidering his ambition. He declares that the concept of killing Duncan frightens him as he indicates that now that he is Thane of Cawdor, “If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings” (1. 3.138). Macbeth also ponders his duty of loyalty to King Duncan and admits that he need to be guarding Duncan rather of committing such a murder. With the temptation of obtaining the crown, Macbeth still shows that he is a man of dignity and noble towards his king. He does not want to know himself if he is pondering about these “horrible imaginings”, and then states that if fate desires him to be king, possibly fate will just make it occur, even though not having to commit any murder. His ambition has not but progressed into greed. Initially Macbeth is mentioned to be “Brave”, “Noble” and a “Worthy Gentlemen” who is willing to puts his life on the line to defend his kingdom, however his need to become King is greatly influenced by Lady Macbeth, which then leads to Macbeth’s ambition progressing into greed.

In Act two, Macbeth’s progression into greed is first established by the influence from the witches and Lady Macbeth, and by means of the plotting of Duncan’s death. Although Macbeth shows his sturdy want to be King, he also show’s his noble side by wresting with his conscience. Macbeth becoming a “noble gentleman” prior to the encounter with the witches, is starting to progress into a man that can be easily manipulated. At first, Macbeth had never ever considered becoming Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland. But with the witches providing him these prophecies, Macbeth is first introduced to the notion of becoming king, which then leads him to wanting to turn out to be kill in order to fulfill the prophecies. Rather than accepting the prophecies and allowing fate to take place, Macbeth is determined to know a lot more about how to make these prophecies come accurate by asking the witches to speak much more. He tells the witches, “stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more” (1. three.70). This shows how eager Macbeth is to know more, which shows his desire for power. Following Ross delivers the news that the King has granted Macbeth the Cawdor’s title, Macbeth visits the Kings castle exactly where he is thanked for his heroism in the battle. Then, the King announces that his son Malcolm will be the new Prince of Cumberland. Macbeth quickly realizes that Malcolm is a threat, and that Malcolm now stands among him and the crown. This is revealed in Macbeth’s aside, as he says, “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I should fall down, or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires Let not light see my black and deep desires.” By the time Malcolm is proclaimed Prince of Cumberland and heir to the throne of Scotland, Macbeth is prepared to push all morality aside. He knows that killing Duncan in order to turn into king is incorrect, which is why he says it is needed to hide his “black and deep” desires. Here, ambition is portrayed as some thing dark and ugly. At this point, Macbeth’s flaw is starting to drive him, and that being Thane of Cawdor isn’t adequate. For the “stars to hide their fires,” Macbeth’s reveals his dark and deadly intention to kill Duncan. Right after Lady Macbeth reads the letter from her husband, her thoughts instantly turn to murder. In her thoughts, Macbeth must take action if he is to turn into king. Nonetheless, she indicates that her husband is too type to do what is needed to achieve greatness. Lady Macbeth is determined to do what ever it requires to help Macbeth receive the crown by persuading him to stick to through with the murder of Duncan. Nonetheless, after thinking about all the motives why they shouldn’t kill Duncan, Macbeth declares that he no longer intends on killing Duncan. This shows that Macbeth is nevertheless not a corrupted man, and that his ambition has not however grow to be unchecked. He still honors his King and fears the consequences that will result in the end. Nevertheless, Lady Macbeth calls him a coward and questions his manhood. She then tells Macbeth her plan on killing Duncan and says that as extended as they are bold, they will be profitable. Macbeth is astonished at the brilliance and daring of her strategy, and agrees to approach with the murder. Macbeth is so heavily influenced by his ambition, that he loses his original “Nobel” and “Honest” traits and begins plotting the murder of Duncan. He tells Lady Macbeth that “[he] is settled, and bend up, each and every corporal agent to this terrible feat” (1.7.79). This shows the very first stage of the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition that is taking over Macbeth. The fact that he will exert each muscle in his physique to commit this crime shows that he has been very easily manipulated by Lady Macbeth, and is now on the path to seizing the crown no matter what the circumstances are. Ahead of Lady Macbeth signals that the chamberlains are asleep, Macbeth begins his vision of the dagger. Covered with blood and pointed toward the king’s chamber, the dagger represents the bloody course on which Macbeth is about to embark. In addition, Macbeth’s vision of the dagger is shown to inform the audience that Macbeth’s conscience is bothering him. He is deeply troubled by the reality that he is planning on killing Duncan, which shows that Macbeth hasn’t totally progressed into a corrupted man without having any pity or remorse. After Macbeth and Lady Macbeth murder Duncan, Macbeth shows a tremendous amount of greed and regret, which proves that Macbeth hasn’t totally progressed into a tyrant. Quickly soon after killing Duncan he says “Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst.”(1.two.75) which shows he regrets it already. Macbeth’s regret over killing Duncan foreshadows the consequences that will stick to soon after Duncan’s death and it is with that murder that the greed for energy and the lost sense of security lead to Macbeth’s progression towards his tragic downfall. At this point in the play, Macbeth’s uncontrolled ambition is beginning to take over him. Rather than confessing his function in the murder and enabling Duncan’s son to turn out to be king, Macbeth is off to Scone to get crowned in order for him to attain the power that he has been wanting from the starting. After Macbeth is King, and realizes that he has power he becomes a person of corruption.

In Act III, Macbeth is now the King of Scotland and shows a tremendous amount of greed and lust for energy. With the stress from his ambition and Lady Macbeth, the murder of Duncan begins to make his rapid modifications into a ruthless tyrant with no heart. He shows much less and much less remorse as the play continues, and starts to commit more sinister crimes by killing his best pal Banquo and murdering Macduff’s household. Even even though Macbeth has achieved the throne, he realizes that becoming king has created him nervous about his position. He begins a soliloquy which demonstrates how much he cherishes his throne however he concerns that with Banquo alive, he is not safe. Macbeth worries that “to be thus is nothing/But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo/Stick deep.” (three.1.52-54). Macbeth expresses his concern that he will by no means be protected till Banquo is gone. This is the climax of the play as well as the height of Macbeth’s ambition. At this point, it becomes evident that there is a change in Macbeth’s character. He is obsessed with reigning as king, but he does not understand that what he is carrying out to make himself much more powerful is really leading him to a tragic and fatal downfall. He is greedy, and being king is not sufficient for him. He is no longer loyal to his ideal pal. He is willing to do anything to get rid of Banquo, and avert his kids from stealing his power and receiving the throne. This is quite as opposed to Macbeth simply because in the starting of the play, Macbeth was unwilling to kill King Duncan but now he has grow to be a man of action. Macbeth is now prepared to do whatever it requires to safe his position and remain in manage. Without having any persuasion from Lady Macbeth, Macbeth starts plotting the murder of his close buddy Banquo. This reveals that the influence of Macbeth’s uncontrolled ambition has now entirely taken him over. The influence of ambition on Macbeth to remain as king fully wipes his mind of all his morals and all issues that have been as soon as important to him. At this point in the play, Macbeth has switched roles with Lady Macbeth. He is confident, and a lot more in handle. He plots the murder of Duncan, rather than Lady Macbeth taking more than. As soon as Banquo is killed by the 3 murders, he admits that there is no turning back. He ruthlessly killed Duncan and his ideal pal. He reveals that “For [his] own excellent, all causes shall give away. [He] is in blood stepp’d in so far that, should [he] wade no more.” (3.4. 24). By comparing his heinous actions, Macbeth suggests that when a man commits a murderous act for his personal achieve, it’s impossible to stop. Turning back would be “tedious”. Macbeth is willing to do something to support himself and it will be easier for him to commit any evil deeds. According to Macbeth, he’s got to appear out for his personal interests, thus generating him greedy. If a person were there to tell him what he was doing was incorrect, Macbeth wouldn’t have killed Duncan or Banquo. Rather, his ambitious went unchecked with every person about him, receiving away with it all. The energy he gained from his actions pushed him to corruption and is the leading trigger to his downfall. Before Banquo was murdered, Macbeth was telling Lady Macbeth that “we have scorch’s the snake, not kill’d it:/She’ll close and be herself” (3.2. 13-14). Macbeth is referring that there is nevertheless a job to be carried out, and that the snake is almost everything that is against Macbeth. Whatever it is, he is determined to fight it, no matter what the price. Later on the Act, Macbeth holds a banquet, celebrating his title as king. Nonetheless rather than celebrating and obtaining a good time, Macbeth goes insane when he sees Banquo’s ghost. He orders Banquo’s ghost to “avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee.” (3.4.97). The banquet is simultaneously the high point of Macbeth’s reign and the starting of his downfall. Macbeth’s bizarre behavior puzzles and disturbs his subjects, confirming their impression that he is mentally troubled. With no sense of direction and paranoia, Macbeth decides to go see the witches once again to understand about his future and who may be plotting against him, now that all of his prophecies have been fulfilled. He resolves to do what ever is required to keep his throne, declaring: “I am in blood / Stepped in so far that, should I wade no much more, / Returning had been as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.135–137). Macbeth, greedy and ruthless, will not accept any person that could harm him and take the throne. The witches inform him “…The pow’r of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth..Macbeth shall in no way vanquished, until Wonderful Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him” (4:1ll.80-81, 92-93). Macbeth finds reassurance with these prophecies that he misinterprets, and believes that he will hold his reign as king for as lengthy as the future can take him. The witches also warn him of Macduff. At that moment, Macbeth sends the 3 murderers to murder Macduff, but when they get there, Macduff had currently fled to England. The murderers kill Lady Macduff and their youngsters and seize Macduffs castle, and due to the fact Macbeth no longer has a lot of a conscience and can not distinguish between appropriate and wrong any longer. This is a new low for Macbeth, now obtaining killed his best buddy, and a woman with youngsters, remorselessly. His evil makes him ruthless, arrogant, and paranoid which are the flaws that lead to his downfall. His evil and overconfidence tends to make him reckless which as soon as once again leads to his death.

In Act IV and V, Macbeth has reached the point of his downfall. He is a person of greed, energy, and corruption. Rather than fate playing its part in Macbeth’s prophecies, he fulfilled them by lying, killing, and obtaining away with it. Macbeth has lost his as soon as noble and sincere path, and every thing and every person that he has ever cared for. Lured into a false sense of safety by the final prophecies of the witches, he provides way to boastfulness and a kind of self-destructive arrogance.The witches told Macbeth that “no man that’s born of woman” can harm Macbeth. With this prophecy, Macbeth is determined to fulfil any duty that involves him remaining as king, with out the any worry of him getting destroyed by anyone. Macbeth gains a tremendous amount of self-confidence that all through the act, his self-assurance increases. Macbeth is so overconfident that he will let any enemy to method the castle and begin a siege, with no the fear of him being destroyed. Because of the visions Macbeth received, Macbeth’s pride and ambition overcomes him, and he feels no want to prepare for battle against Malcolm and his soldiers. This leads him to his downfall as he is not prepared at all to deal with such a massive army. Simply because Macbeth believed he was invincible, he would at some point be killed by Macduff. Towards the end of the play, Macbeth’s kingdom has fallen into total disrepair. People believe of him as a undesirable leader and a tyrant and that he is destroying Scotland and its folks. Macbeth is so caught up in the concept of getting energy and acting violently, that he has forgotten the purpose of becoming a king. He has much more savagely descended into the very same level of evilness as the witches. Also, he is at the point where he would choose the complete world falling into chaos, rather than not getting his queries answered by the witches. Ahead of the witches answer his questions, Macbeth says, “Howe’er you come to know it—answer me./ Even though you untie the winds and let them fight/ Against the churches, even though the yeasty waves/ Confound and swallow navigation up,/ Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down,/ Although castles topple on their warders’ heads,/ Although palaces and pyramids do slope/ Their heads to their foundations, although the treasure/ Of nature’s germens tumble all together,/ Even till destruction sicken, answer me/ To what I ask you” (4.1.50). Via Macbeth’s speech, it is evident that Macbeth has lost his way in reality. He is speaking as if he is one particular of the evil witches. He also shows that he has lost all rationally as he thinks of their words as becoming far more crucial than the planet getting destroyed. The influence of ambition on Macbeth to stay as king has completely corrupted him as a particular person, and every thing that he valued and after critical to him, no longer was a element of Macbeth. Close to the starting of the play, Lady Macbeth was portrayed as almost everything that was essential to Macbeth and he would do anything to please her. Nevertheless, when Lady Macbeth dies, Macbeth’s only words are “she ought to of died here after” (5.five.17) as he is annoyed at the reality that she died at an inconvenient time. This illustrates how the unchecked ambition that has a corrupting influence upon Macbeth, has turned him against his once noble and gentle path. After Lady Macbeth is overwhelmed with guilt and turns to suicide, Macbeth’s response to the news of his wife’s death is just as bleak. The words “to-morrow, and, to-morrow, and to-morrow” (5.5.19) recommend that the globe has lost all meaning for him. He says life is a “tale” “full of sound and fury” and, ultimately, the story signifies “nothing” (5.5. 26-28). In the end, Macbeth sees himself as practically nothing a lot more than a character in a story that has completely no which means. Macbeth shows neither interest nor care in his wife’s death. He is now so used to his state of madness that he talks about how he has forgotten the feeling of worry. His thoughts is full of horrible thoughts as he admits, “I have almost forgotten the taste of fears./the time has been, my sense would have cooled/To hear a night shriek and my fell of hair/ Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir, /As life were in’t. I have supped complete with horrors: /Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, /Cannot when commence me.” (5.five.9-15). As perceived, Macbeth is now a really mentally troubled man. Towards the finish of the play, Macduff and Macbeth have met and are at the point of fighting for their life. Macbeth, cocky from the concept that he can in no way be harmed, is determined that he will kill Macduff, and all his fears and threats to his thrones with diminish. Even so, Macduff points out that he was not of woman born, but rather “from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped” (5.ten.15–16). Macbeth all of a sudden fears for his life, but declares that he will not surrender. Finally, Macbeth is killed by Macduff, and Malcolm is crowned king.

Throughout the whole paly, Macbeth progresses considerably as a individual. He is very first introduced as a noble subject, worthy gentlemen, and a courageous solider that will go all his way to defend his nation and kingdom. Nevertheless, with his encounter with the witches, the notion of becoming king is 1st embodied in his mind. At very first, Macbeth wrestled with his conscience to the point where he dismissed the thought of killing the king, which illustrated that he was nonetheless a man with honesty. Nonetheless, with the influence from Lady Macbeth, Macbeth was pressured into committing his 1st violent act in order to receive the power and advancement that he has been looking for since the introduction of the prophecies. Rather than accepting the prophecies and permitting fate to happen, Macbeth’s ambition to be king alights, as he is determined to know a lot more about how to make these prophecies come correct by asking the witches to speak more. Following his want for power, Macbeth’s tragic flaw greed, is at its first stage of driving Macbeth. He e murders Duncan, and then stews in guilt and paranoia. After Macbeth is crowned as king and is aware of his energy, he realizes that the energy he attains isn’t adequate. His greed for far more power and handle was driving him and that is when it comes unchecked. He switched roles with Lady Macbeth, and began plotting the murder of his friend Banquo because he viewed him as a threat to his throne, and he feared that his children with heir the throne. Macbeth murdered Banquo, and then soon right after progressed into a man of insanity. This brings the theme of corrupting energy of unchecked ambition. Macbeth only thought of what he desires and accomplished his aspirations via the use of energy and violence. He is the personification of greed and evil. He kills the king and requires the throne. He did not cease there but he continued to murder other characters to protect himself from becoming discovered. Macbeth begins to hallucinate and see Banquo’s ghost, illustrating his descend to his downfall. As the play continues, Macbeth progresses into a man of corruption with no remorse. After his second encounter with the witches, Macbeth discovers that he must worry Macduff, and that he cannot be harmed by anybody born from a woman. Soon after, Macbeth murders Macduff’s loved ones, evidently proving that he has progressed into a tyrant. Towards the finish of the paly, Macbeth becomes overconfident and arrogant once he misinterprets the witches’ prophecies, pondering that he cannot be harmed by any person. At that point in the play, Macbeth has lost all his moral senses, and way in realty. Soon after he discovers the death of his wife, he shows neither concern nor distress. He merely says that she would have died the day after. Lastly, overconfident Macbeth learns that Macduff was not born naturally from his mother. Macbeth then realizes that he is doomed even so refuses to surrender. Macbeth is defeated, killed, and then Malcolm takes the throne. All round, the theme that is evident throughout the complete paly is that humans are corrupted by unchecked ambition. Macbeth’s ambition to turn into king, lead him to his uncontrollable greed for energy. The energy he attains, enables him to commit any evil deed in order for him to acquire the crown which ultimately leads to his tragic downfall.