Internal Conflict in Macbeth: a Study of Ambition and Guilt

The play Macbeth is a powerful depiction of the human psyche, particularly with respect to the interplay between ambition and guilt. The play follows the title character, a Scottish general, as he is consumed by his desire for power and driven to increasingly dark and violent acts in order to achieve it. At its core, Macbeth is a study of internal conflict – the struggle between what a person wants and what they know is right, between the thirst for glory and the weight of conscience. In this essay, I will explore the themes of ambition and guilt in Macbeth and examine how Shakespeare portrays their impact on the human psyche.

Macbeth's Ambition

Macbeth's ambition is the driving force behind the play's plot. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a respected and noble warrior, praised for his bravery and loyalty to King Duncan. However, when he encounters the witches who prophesy that he will become king, something awakens within him – a desire for power that he never knew he had. Though at first he resists the idea of murder, his ambition gradually overtakes his hesitation, and he becomes willing to do anything to achieve his goal. This is evident in his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7, where he weighs the pros and cons of killing Duncan:

"I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on the other."

Macbeth recognizes that it is not rational to kill his own king, but his ambition has become such a powerful force within him that he is unable to resist it.

The consequences of Macbeth's unchecked ambition are severe. As he becomes more and more ruthless in his pursuit of power, he begins to lose touch with his own humanity. He orders the murder of his friend Banquo, attempts to kill Banquo's son, and has Macduff's entire household slaughtered. In the end, even his own subjects turn against him, and he is killed by Macduff. Throughout this downward spiral, however, Macbeth experiences a constant internal struggle between his desire for power and his sense of right and wrong.

Guilt in Macbeth

Guilt is the other primary theme in Macbeth, and it is closely intertwined with ambition. Macbeth's murders of Duncan, Banquo, and others weigh heavily on his conscience, and he is plagued by visions of blood and the ghosts of his victims. He becomes increasingly paranoid, seeing enemies behind every corner, and is ultimately driven to madness and despair. The scene in which Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and tries to wash the imaginary bloodstains from her hands is a powerful illustration of the overwhelming guilt that both characters experience:

"Out, damned spot! out, I say!—One: two: why,
then, 'tis time to do't.—Hell is murky!—Fie, my
lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we
fear who knows it, when none can call our power
to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man
to have had so much blood in him."

Lady Macbeth's own ambition has driven her to encourage and facilitate her husband's crimes, and that guilt too weighs heavily on her soul. In the play's final act, she descends into madness and ultimately dies.

Conclusion

The conflict between ambition and guilt is thus at the heart of Macbeth. As the play progresses, it becomes clear that unchecked ambition can lead to great harm to oneself and others, but that the guilt and remorse that follow can be equally devastating. Shakespeare's portrayal of this conflict is nuanced and complex, and his depiction of Macbeth's internal struggle is one of the play's greatest strengths.

In conclusion, Macbeth is a powerful study of the human psyche, particularly with respect to the interplay between ambition and guilt. Shakespeare's portrayal of these themes is complex and nuanced, and his depiction of the internal conflict experienced by Macbeth is one of the play's greatest strengths. Through the character of Macbeth, we see how unchecked ambition can lead to great harm, both to oneself and others, and how the weight of guilt can be equally devastating. Ultimately, the play is a cautionary tale about the importance of recognizing the potential harm of our own desires and impulses and the need to always be aware of the consequences of our actions.