Ambition - Macbeth

Many characters have ambition in the play, Macbeth. Some of the many characters are Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Macduff.


Macbeth has a lot of ambition in the play. The whole play surrounds around Macbeth's ambition in becoming king and continuing to be King for as long as he can. He wants the power, and this is evident in the play as he is willing to murder men, women and children to get what he wants. It is obvious that Macbeth is ambitious because he is willing to kill the King so that he can become King 

[Macbeth]

'My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is But what is not.' (1.3.9)

It is also clear that Lady Macbeth has ambition. This is again obvious because she is the mastermind behind the murder of King Duncan. She has ambition to also get what she wants. In this quote, Lady Macbeth is suggesting that she has ambition, power and nerves to murder. 

[Lady Macbeth]'Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it' (1.5.1)


Macduff also shows ambition. In this quote, he is showing his ambition and revenge against Macbeth for killing his wife and family. 

[Macduff]'Either thou, Macbeth, Or else my sword, with an unbatter'd edge, I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be; By this great clatter, one of greatest note Seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune! And more I beg not.' (5.8.1)