What is ambition? In the dictionary ambition is defined has “an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, (ex) power, honor, fame, or wealth. The willingness to strive for its attainment”.
From this definition I do not even believe that Macbeth really had any ambition of his own. I do not think his ambition was not Macbeth’s greatest weakness but more is gullibility and being able to be swayed into the directions of others.In the story of Macbeth of Macbeths miss fortune is caused by first the prophecy of the witches and secondly of the discouragement of his wife constantly degrading him causing him to prove his self willing and able. Also with the swaying of others making Macbeth feel he needed these promotions.
I also think it was more Macbeth’s selfishness that cause his death and that was truly his greatest weakness to him. The first people to influence Macbeth were the three witches. When the three witches first made Macbeth clear with their prophecy Macbeth could not refuse the free path into power.After the first two prophecies had come true Macbeth started to get greedy with power.
Believing “hey why not hold all the power, riches and fame in my hands, why should I share them with the king when the witches said I could be king”. When these thoughts started to appear in Macbeths mind more Macbeth’s greed took over. With this immense amount of greed it caused Macbeth to have vaulting ambition to make this happen not matter what happens. So that is when Macbeth went out and would try anything possible to achieve success.This is clear when in act 1 scene 7, line 26 and 27 Macbeth says “to prick the side of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself”.
This shows that ambition is taking over which is a major affect against Macbeth but also it is caused from greed which is truly his strongest weakness. Another example that greed and cockiness is Macbeth’s greatest weakness and not ambition is when the witches notify Macbeth with another prophecy saying “any man born of a women’s womb can kill you”.This makes Macbeth super greedy because and cocky because now Macbeth believes he is immortal and he can do whatever he wants and nothing bad will happen to him. This also displays how Macbeths simple minded by being swayed in the direction the witches want him to go in they want him to feel safe and not be suspicious so his death will be a shock to him. Lady Macbeth affected Macbeth by swaying him in the direction she wanted and she corrupted Macbeths mind.Lady Macbeth’s ambition was her greatest downfall because of the power and riches she wanted she would stop at nothing to do it which cause her death.
And because of her ambition she corrupted Macbeths mind by emasculating him always saying he was scared he was never brave enough to do what she asked. She always said he was soft inside and did not have the courage to do what would make them the happiest they could be. She basically said Macbeth was a waste of a man; He was a disgrace to all men. This caused Macbeth to feel angry and it made him want to be able to prove himself to his wife.
So he set out to do everything his wife convinced him to do all three killings and the other dirty deeds asked of him. Some examples of this is in act 1 scene 5 when lady Macbeth asks to be “unsexed” to assist Macbeth with the murders. Also when lady asks Macbeth if he was to kill Banquo and when Macbeth is hesitant lady Macbeth calls him soft saying he would never be able to do such a thing. This caused Macbeth to gain approval from his wife who caused him to have ambition to prove his wife is wrong, but it is still not his greatest weakness.
Macbeth’s selfishness and greed also cause him his greatest downfall ending up in his death. Macbeth’s greed of having power caused Macbeth ambition to do whatever he could in his power to get what he wanted allowing him to have the guts to kill Banquo and Duncan’s wife and daughter. Macbeth’s greed of power and riches that come from his wife degrading him, making him feel like nothing causes his ambition for success. Also Macbeth’s foolishness and selfishness cause everything to come crashing down on Macbeth.Macbeths selfishness and foolishness causes him into killing Banquo because he wants all the power and money for himself and Macbeths’ selfishness in killing Duncan’s son knowing he will be the next to air the throne makes Macbeth feel extremely greedy making him kill Duncan family hoping that he will forever be king. Macbeth’s foolishness of believing the witches that nothing could kill him and that he was basically immortal unless the forest moved.
Also ruined Macbeth because it made him cocky and not afraid of anything at all and when fear disappears from your life you’re looking for trouble and will eventually get hurt.In conclusion has you can see Macbeths ambition was not his greatest weakness because it is not what caused him to go after power it just helped him. Other features in Macbeth’s life cause him to die and ruined him. Macbeth had become corrupt throughout the play between his gullibility and greed given to him from his wife and the witches theses were Macbeth’s true weaknesses and not his ambition. Macbeth’s ambition simply played a medium sized roll into ending his life and ruining him.
The ambition in this play is mostly from Macbeth’s wife lady Macbeth who caused majority of the problems.
