Macbeth Act I Ambition
There are plenty of valuable themes that can be derived from Macbeth, especially in Act I. Yet, I think the most powerful theme is that ambition is the only motivator. In Act I Scene 5, Lady Macbeth receives the letter from Macbeth telling her that King Duncan is coming to the house, which plants this seed in her that she could be royalty. This is really the first time that evil is being inflicted or developed by the intercession of others. By coming off and developing this plan, Lady Macbeth is planting the seeds of extreme ambition into Macbeth.
In another instance, Act I Scene 7, Lady Macbeth too influences Macbeth by almost calling him out. She uses animalistic symbolism by telling him to be a serpent, an underlying serpent. She further taunts him and further stirs his ambition by . This is a critical point in the play because after this Macbeth is more willing to physically harm Duncan.
In another instance, Act I Scene 7, Lady Macbeth too influences Macbeth by almost calling him out. She uses animalistic symbolism by telling him to be a serpent, an underlying serpent. She further taunts him and further stirs his ambition by . This is a critical point in the play because after this Macbeth is more willing to physically harm Duncan.
You make a good point, but I'm not sure ambition is the ONLY motivator. Macbeth initially resisted his wife's plan because Duncan had never wronged him and he felt loyalty to his king. This urge was eventually overridden by his ambition, but there is evidence of other things that influence the character's actions.
ReplyDeleteAs Duff pointed out in his own blog post, it is still questionable if we should also consider the weight of the supernatural influence on Macbeth, but ambition is definitely a huge part of the plot along with other minor factors.
ReplyDeleteIs ambition really the only motivator? It's certainly the largest motivator we've seen so far, but I don't think it's the only thing that motivates. In fact, Lady Macbeth doesn't question Macbeth's ambition, so there must be some other reason he's having doubts.
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