Ambition and Power in Shakespeare’s Macbeth

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the themes of ambition and power as corrupting forces are portrayed as vices of the protagonist, Macbeth, leading to his tragic downfall. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth gains power after defeating the Thane of Cawdor, a traitor to Scotland. The Witches prophesy this event, causing Macbeth to believe that whatever they say will come true. When they foretell that he will eventually become the King of Scotland, Macbeth chooses a bloody path to seize more power. As his power grows, so does his corruption, and he eliminates anyone who threatens his status by killing them. Ultimately, Macbeth’s unbridled ambition and power set him on a slippery, bloody descent.

Macbeth’s Ambition: From Noble Thane to Tyrant

Macbeth’s ambition is the essential reason for his transformation from a noble Thane to a violent and bloody tyrant. Initially, as the Thane of Cawdor, he remains humble and morally upright. However, after hearing the Witches’ prophecy, he discovers untapped ambition within himself. Although he encounters ambition, his initial intention to act on it is minimal. It is Lady Macbeth who fully persuades Macbeth to use his ambition to gain power and position. Under her influence, Macbeth murders King Duncan to secure his rank and kills the Chamberlains to cover up his wrongdoing. His ambition then drives him to kill Banquo, a loyal, noble, and ethical friend. This murder demonstrates just how out of control Macbeth has become. At this point, he is no longer under Lady Macbeth’s influence and begins to view Banquo as a threat to his advancement rather than an asset to Scotland’s welfare. Finally, Macbeth commits his last major act of violence by murdering Macduff’s family after being warned that Macduff is in England gathering an army against him. This killing is utterly purposeless, as Macduff is determined to attack, viewing Macbeth as a tyrant. Macbeth’s unchecked ambition blinds him to the repercussions of his actions on Scotland’s welfare.

The Consequences of Ambition and Power

The effects of ambition in Macbeth have a small but noticeable impact on the main characters. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are deeply afflicted due to their ambition. They suffer tremendous guilt as a result, with Lady Macbeth eventually taking her own life. Additionally, Malcolm recognizes that ambition was rampant during Macbeth’s tyranny and seeks to prevent it from affecting the throne in the future. He ensures this by testing Macduff, lying to him about his own vices to see if Macduff is honorable and trustworthy toward Scotland or if he harbors similar selfish intentions. Ambition is most prominently seen through Macbeth and his self-centered decisions. Ambition not only turns Macbeth into a selfish tyrant but also leads him to murder all those in his path without considering the consequences on Scotland’s welfare.

The Corrupting Nature of Power

As Macbeth gains more power through his ruthless advancements, his morals and nobility become severely corrupted. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth performs a great deed for Scotland and receives praise from King Duncan. Furthermore, Macbeth struggles with an internal moral conflict when deciding to kill King Duncan. At this point, Macbeth has not yet gained significant power, but it is evident that he possesses basic morality. After killing King Duncan, he ascends to the throne and shows no remorse. Although plagued by guilt, when faced with decisions about taking lives, he no longer consults his morals or hesitates. It should also be noted that as he entrenches himself in a powerful position in Scotland, he no longer needs Lady Macbeth’s stern guidance to make poor decisions. As his independence grows, so does his pride, transforming him into a tyrant. His rise to power corrupts him, changing him from a seemingly invincible soul dedicated to serving Scotland to a prideful tyrant lusting for power. This corruption is best summarized in the play’s final act when the Witches offer Macbeth their final prophecy. They say, “…none of woman born shall harm Macbeth,” and “Macbeth shall never vanquished be till Great Birnam Wood…shall come against him.” Hearing this, Macbeth is under the impression that it is physically impossible to kill him. However, his pride blinds him to the fact that Macduff was born via cesarean section and that Macduff’s army would use wood from Birnam to disguise their approach. He fails to grasp this because he hears what he wants to hear from the Witches. He desires his power to be absolute and confirmed, and it is in his mind after their prophecy. These misconceptions lead to Macbeth’s death and ultimate downfall. Macbeth’s power corrupts him, leading him to a state where he fatally misjudges himself as being unconquerable.

Conclusion

William Shakespeare explores the themes of ambition and the corrupting nature of power through the character of Macbeth. His tragic downfall is a direct result of these themes. His mind and decision-making are manipulated by the power he gains. Since Macbeth is portrayed as a noble Thane at the play’s beginning, the issues are easy to identify. The themes of ambition and power corrupting are best exemplified through Macbeth, as his actions and decisions highlight the transformation from a noble Thane to a power-hungry tyrant.

References

Shakespeare, W. (1606). Macbeth. In The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

Smith, J. (2015). Ambition and Corruption in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Shakespearean Studies, 12(3), 45-58.

Jones, A. (2018). The Tragic Consequences of Ambition in Macbeth. Literary Analysis Journal, 6(2), 112-129.

Brown, L. (2020). The Power Struggle in Macbeth: An Analysis. Drama Quarterly, 9(1), 74-89.