Shakespeares Macbeth - Downfall Due to Ambition and Human Weakness :: Free Macbeth Essays

Macbeth: Downfall Due to Ambition and Human Weakness William Shakespeare through one of his most well known plays portrays a tragic downfall of a king through his ambition and human weakness. Shakespeare develops the play Macbeth by showing the changes in the protagonist and the effects others have on him. Shakspeare's use of detail helps to show the changes in Macbeth through a gradual process. Before actually completing his horrendous act of killing the much loved King Duncan, Macbeth suffers mental conflict "having no spurs to prick the side of my intent" between the "vaulting ambition which leaps over itself and falls on the other" and the "deep damnation of his (Duncan's) taking off." At this point in time, scene 7 of the first act, Macbeth exposes sensitivity and knowledge of what he may do is wrong. Possibly the one time when the reader can relate to Macbeth the best, it is seen that he is very hesitant of his action, but what over takes him is the human flaw of ambition. As time progresses and Shakespeare shows Macbeth's initial "fear" of Banquo; but as his mind becomes engulfed in the his best friends murder he label's him as "your enemy" and making sure that he is left "no rubs nor botches in the work" Macbeth is obviously afraid of experiencing the same emotional trauma of his first murder. Although he think he is solving his problems, his damnation is ever progressing by making being indirectly involved in the murder of his one time best friend and father of a line of kings. The reader sees how ones desire for self - power can destroy himself completely. Shakespeare's diction through other characters in the play also help to portray Macbeth's break down. In the beginning, when Macbeth still depicts his sensitivity and morality, Lady's Macbeth almost forces Macbeth to do the deed calling him a "coward in thine own esteem", mocking him saying, "you durst do it then you were a man," and comparing him to "a baby that milks me." Lady Macbeth serves as on of Macbeth's contrasting characters. It is with her biting tougne that Macbeth is inspired to achieve his ambition in becoming king. In the beginning of the play with the three weird sisters the first idea introduced is their meeting with Macbeth "when the battles lost and won."; upon this meeting, macbeth pleads, "tell me more you imperfect sisters;" later on one of the witches chimes, "by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes." Through the witches' characters, the peculiar chants, the reader knows the power