Questions on Ambition

AMBITION

What does the play say about ambition?

The theme of ambition in Macbeth is linked to that of good and evil. Like many other passions and impulses, ambition can be both foul and fair.

How does it construct this representation?

Through Macbeth, we see that it can be fair when put to good uses, and when it is kept in check by one’s sense of right and wrong. But ambition is foul when it becomes so powerful that it destroys a person’s morality. This is essentially constructed through Lady MacBeth and MacBeth. They act like they are not planning anything evil and represent themselves to people as an innocent good couple. However they are really planning the kings murder and inside are feeling fear and guilt.

Ways you can go about exploring a concept in the play:

1. Ask a series of questions

2. Explore the idea of boundaries


Ambition – Define – what is ambition?

1. Which characters are motivated by ambition?

o MacBeth

o Lady MacBeth

o Mac Duff

2. How do they act upon their ambition?

o MacBeth acts upon his ambition by going against what he stands for to get what he wants. He acts good but really inside is planning something evil.

o Lady MacBeth manipulates Mac Duff to do the dirty work so she can gain indirect power.

o Mac Duff has good ambition and wants the best for the country.

3. What are the consequences of their ambition? – Reward or Punishment? – Why is one rewarded and one punished?

o Consequences for MacBeth- Rewarded ad Punished

- At the start of the play MacBeth is rewarded with praise because he saved the country from an disloyal general

- He gets what he wants (becomes king) then realises he does not want it anymore

- He feels immense guilt for what he has done

- He loses his love for Lady MacBeth

- He is killed

o Consequences for Lady MacBeth-Punishment

- She does not get what she wants

- She is made to act like everything inside is okay but really inside she is burning with guilt

- Has no one to tell her what to do

- Commits suicide

o Consequences for MacDuff- Rewarded

- Fights against MacBeth and wins

- He personally kills MacBeth and not only gets revenge for his family being murdered but saves the whole country

- Is now one of the most trustworthy friends of the new king, Malcolm

Good ambition is rewarded, where as ambition that is evil is always punished. People cannot live with the guilt, especially Lady MacBeth and MacBeth.


4. What does the paly say about ambition as a result of considering whose ambition is rewarded and whose is punished?

o The heroic characters are rewarded, and the evil ones are punished.