Macbeth And Lady Macbeth Ambition

The Corrosive Hunger: Ambition in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Shakespeare's Macbeth is a chilling exploration of ambition, its intoxicating allure, and its devastating consequences. While the play features a cast of characters grappling with power and desire, the intertwined ambitions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth stand as its central driving force, propelling the tragedy towards its bloody and ultimately tragic climax. This essay will delve into the complex nature of their individual ambitions, their collaborative pursuit of power, and the devastating toll it takes on their minds and souls. Understanding their ambition reveals a profound commentary on the corrupting influence of unchecked desire and the fragility of the human psyche under pressure.

Macbeth's Ambition: A Seed of Doubt

Macbeth, a valiant Scottish general, initially possesses a relatively modest ambition. He is ambitious, yes, but his ambition is tempered by a sense of loyalty and duty. He values his reputation and his position within the army, demonstrating courage and skill on the battlefield. However, this ambition is dramatically altered by the prophecies of the three witches. Their pronouncements – "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter" – ignite a seed of doubt and ambition within him that rapidly festers into an all-consuming desire for the crown.

The witches' prophecy doesn't create Macbeth's ambition; it merely provides a catalyst. The ambition was already present, latent, waiting for the opportune moment to take root. This is crucial to understanding the play's tragedy. Macbeth isn't simply a villain driven by inherent evil; he's a flawed hero whose ambition, once unleashed, consumes him completely. His initial hesitation, his internal conflict between ambition and morality, highlights the human capacity for both good and evil. He wrestles with the ethical implications of regicide, demonstrating a conscience that is initially strong enough to resist the temptation.

However, Lady Macbeth's influence and his own escalating ambition quickly erode his moral compass. The murder of Duncan marks a pivotal point. This act, initially conceived as a calculated move to secure the throne, ultimately transforms Macbeth into a tyrant driven by paranoia and an insatiable need to maintain his power. His subsequent acts of violence – the murders of Banquo, Macduff's family, and ultimately, his own downfall – are fueled by this unchecked ambition. He becomes increasingly isolated, his reign characterized by fear and oppression, a stark contrast to his initial noble qualities. His ambition, initially fueled by a desire for glory and power, ultimately becomes a desperate, self-destructive quest for survival.

Lady Macbeth's Ambition: A Force of Will

Lady Macbeth's ambition is of a different character. While Macbeth’s ambition is initially hesitant and conflicted, hers is fierce, unwavering, and almost entirely devoid of moral qualms. She doesn't yearn for the crown for herself; her ambition is vicarious, fueled by her desire for power and status through her husband's ascension to the throne. She sees the throne as the ultimate prize, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if it means sacrificing her own conscience and humanity.

Lady Macbeth is a fascinating character because she represents a subversion of traditional gender roles. In a patriarchal society, women were largely excluded from positions of power. Lady Macbeth's ambition challenges this societal structure, showcasing a woman who actively seeks to exert influence and control. However, her ambition isn't a feminist statement; rather, it's a twisted expression of female power, born out of a desire for dominance and control in a world that restricts her.

Her famous invocation to the spirits – "Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty!" – reveals the extent of her willingness to suppress her feminine nature, to embrace ruthlessness and violence in pursuit of her goal. She effectively emasculates herself, adopting traditionally masculine traits of aggression and dominance to manipulate her husband and achieve their shared ambition.

The paradox of Lady Macbeth lies in her ultimate downfall. While initially possessing an iron will and unshakeable resolve, her ambition ultimately consumes her, leading to madness and suicide. The guilt and psychological torment that she endures highlight the inherent destructive nature of unchecked ambition. Her ambition, while initially a force of strength and determination, ultimately proves to be her undoing. Her powerful influence on Macbeth serves as a stark reminder of the corrupting influence of ambition when divorced from morality.

The Collaborative Pursuit of Power: A Dangerous Partnership

The ambition of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth isn't solely individual; it's a shared enterprise, a dangerous partnership driven by a mutual desire for power. They are a powerful duo, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses. Lady Macbeth provides the ruthless ambition and strategic planning, pushing Macbeth towards decisive action. Macbeth provides the physical strength and the capacity for violence, executing the plans that his wife devises.

Their collaboration is crucial to understanding the play's trajectory. While Macbeth's initial hesitation highlights his moral struggle, Lady Macbeth's unwavering ambition and manipulative tactics propel him toward regicide. She challenges his masculinity, subtly undermining his confidence and subtly accusing him of cowardice, effectively eliminating his internal resistance. This dynamic illustrates the power of influence and the potential for ambition to erode moral boundaries, even in those who possess a strong sense of morality to begin with. They act as each other's enablers, fueling and reinforcing each other's ambition to catastrophic effect.

However, their partnership eventually crumbles under the weight of their crimes. The guilt and paranoia that plague Macbeth eventually alienate him from his wife. The shared ambition that once united them becomes a source of division and destruction. Lady Macbeth's descent into madness, marked by sleepwalking and hallucinations, reflects the fracturing of their relationship and the corrosive impact of their shared guilt. Their collaborative pursuit of power ultimately leads to their individual and collective destruction, demonstrating the futility and self-destructive nature of ambition unchecked by morality.

The Consequences of Ambition: A Tragic Downfall

Macbeth is ultimately a tragedy precisely because it illustrates the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer profoundly as a result of their relentless pursuit of power. Macbeth's reign is characterized by fear, paranoia, and violence, leading to his eventual downfall and death. Lady Macbeth's descent into madness and suicide highlights the psychological toll of their crimes. Their individual tragedies serve as cautionary tales, illustrating the ultimate futility and self-destructive nature of ambition when divorced from morality and ethical consideration.

The play's tragic ending is not merely a punishment for their actions, but a consequence of their own choices. They are not victims of fate; they are architects of their own destruction. Their ambition, while initially promising, ultimately leads to their isolation, paranoia, and ultimately, their demise. Their downfall serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of ethical considerations in the pursuit of power and ambition. The relentless pursuit of ambition, divorced from morality, inevitably leads to destruction and suffering, both for the individual and for those around them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the central theme of Macbeth? The central theme of Macbeth is ambition and its corrupting influence. The play explores how unchecked ambition can lead to moral decay, violence, and ultimately, self-destruction.

• How does Lady Macbeth influence Macbeth's ambition? Lady Macbeth significantly influences Macbeth's ambition by pushing him to commit regicide. She manipulates his desires, challenging his manhood, and eliminating his initial hesitation and moral reservations.

• Is Macbeth a villain or a tragic hero? Macbeth is arguably a tragic hero. While he commits terrible acts, his initial noble qualities and his internal struggle with morality before succumbing to ambition suggest a tragic flaw rather than inherent villainy.

• What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene? The sleepwalking scene reveals the devastating psychological impact of Lady Macbeth's actions. Her guilt and remorse manifest physically, highlighting the destructive power of unchecked ambition.

• What is the overall message of Macbeth? The overall message of Macbeth is a cautionary tale against the dangers of unchecked ambition. It emphasizes the importance of morality, ethical considerations, and the devastating consequences of prioritizing power over virtue.

Conclusion: A Timeless Warning

Shakespeare's Macbeth remains a powerful and relevant exploration of ambition, its seductive allure, and its devastating consequences. The intertwined ambitions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth serve as the central engine of the tragedy, propelling the narrative towards its bloody and inevitable conclusion. Their story is a timeless warning against the corrupting influence of unchecked desire and the importance of maintaining a moral compass amidst the pursuit of power and success. The play's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of the complexities of the human psyche, the fragility of morality, and the devastating consequences of ambition when divorced from ethical considerations. The characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, despite their fictional nature, remain powerful symbols of the dangers inherent in the relentless pursuit of power without regard for the moral cost.