“ Mental health is not a distinction but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you're going” (Noam Shpancer PHD). Although Macbeth has conquered and overcame on the battlefield, his ability to control and maintain his personal issues such as handling the death of family and friends, and heavily replying to Lady Macbeth and the three witches led him to spiral out of control. After gaining the title Thane of Cawdor a thirst for king came over him after realizing the witches' prophecies were true. Without considering the multitude of consequences, Macbeth murders Duncan, which leads to a chain of events full of cover-ups, deaths, stress, and pain. Macbeth illustrates the tragic consequences that arise when an individual becomes consumed by their ambitions and loses their sense of morality by becoming possessed and enveloped by their thoughts and …show more content…
Macbeth had become trapped in a descent into madness by trying to fulfill worldly desires highlighting the consequences that result after losing sight of moral values. “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other '' (Act 1 Scene 7). Macbeth admits he has no other notice for murder unless it grants him power. The phrase “vaulting ambition” speaks about Macbeth's glutinous and insatiable ambitions. These characteristics lead him to leap over obstacles in his path. Unfortunately he does not ever consider the consequences. The quote also foreshadows Macbeth's eventual downfall as he overreaches during his pursuit of power, emphasizing the dangerous consequences of unchecked ambition serving as a warning against one’s materialistic desires. Macbeth's tragic spiral out of control serves as a haunting reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and highlights the consequences that can be possible as a result of losing sight of one’s values and
When Macbeth first is introduced to the witches and hears of their prophecies, he becomes willing to do anything in order to rise in ranking, even if that involves hurting others. As soon as Macbeth realizes that he may have the chance to become king, he states “my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man” (Shakespeare I.3.139-140). Macbeth craves power so deeply that he begins to have thoughts of murdering Duncan. In this moment, Macbeth only cares for himself and his own status. After finding out that Duncan’s son, Malcolm, is to be Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth says “that is a step on which I must fall down or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies” (I.4.48-50).
His greed leads him to commit sins such as murdering the well-liked King. All in all, Macbeth’s ambitious actions drive him to destruction through his
Macbeth in a very significant aside remarks, “Glamis and Thane of Cawdor: / The greatest is behind.” (I iii 117). He then begins to dream of being King, that in order to do so he has to kill Duncan, to whom he had been loyal so long is swept aside as a necessary deed. Macbeth is aware of the dangers of overzealous ambition: “I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself / And falls on th’other” (I vii 25-28). But the temptation to render the witches’ prophecy into reality ultimately proves to be too strong for Macbeth to curb his ambition”(Afzal 319).
“Psychopaths don't sit still for science and ordinary people can't be made to think so savagely,” proving that if any normal man attempted to follow the choices of these deranged killers, he would fall to pieces, just Macbeth did (Jeffrey Kluger). Choices are what become us, and because of the multitudinous choices made throughout this play, a man lost everything he once was on his path to power. Macbeth’s descent into madness and insanity can be narrowed down to a few things, such as people and it could’ve been the Witches, Lady Macbeth, or even Macbeth himself. The Witches in Macbeth were the very ones who started the whole downward spiral that swept up Macbeth. With their predictions of his future, they implanted illusions that plagued his mind with poisonous thoughts of grandeur.
Macbeth recognizes the rapid and drastic downfall of his life and by making the comparison to a poor player that is no longer heard from, he thinks that life is meaningless and lacks purpose. Understanding how his deception leads to destruction, his perspective on life shifts to a cynical view. His existence is merely a performance and his inability to continue the honorable act illustrates Macbeth’s undoing of his former nobility. As his destructive nature changes his attitude, his carelessness will continue to spike as he reaches the end of his life. Shakespeare uses Macbeth to give attention to the reckless attitude that results from allowing deception to
Macbeth is a tragedy that depicts the story of a nobleman who unfairly becomes king through betrayal and manipulation. It starts with three witches that give Macbeth prophecies, one of which telling him he will be king. Macbeth sees his other prophecies come true, so he sets his mind on becoming king. This leads him to kill King Duncan, because of how desperately he wants to be king. Throughout the play, ambition has one the motifs demonstrated by Macbeth’s actions.
The first step in Macbeth's journey toward power is the murder of King Duncan. Although is initially hesitant to carry out the deed, his ambition and Lady Macbeth's encouragement drive him to commit the act, Macbeth’s lust for power drives
The choices an individual makes can have a significant impact on their lives. This can be seen in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare; it shows that Macbeth keeps making poor decisions combined with the lack of character can have major consequences. This is not limited to Macbeth's choices but is shown how decisions can have notable impact on multiple of the characters welfare. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are two provident displays that suggest that’s one’s actions on oneself or others, while knowing the consequences that could have arisen from the actions from the beginning Macbeth is a tragic hero who destroyed himself with his own selfish decisions. At the beginning he was to be portrayed as this courageous and honorable hero of Scotland,
Discuss the idea(s) developed by Shakespeare in Macbeth about the impact of an individual’s ambition on self and others. Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" is a powerful exploration of the dangers of ambition and the disastrous consequences that can result from its unchecked pursuit. Through the character of Macbeth, Shakespeare portrays the devastating impact that ambition can have not only on the individual but also on those around them. The play illustrates how the pursuit of ambition can lead to moral corruption and a loss of self. As well demonstrates how ambition can lead to the destruction of leadership and relationship and a breakdown of social order and insanity as well the impact of the influence of external factors on an individual’s
Macbeth, a once loyal and honorable man, turned into an ambitious tyrant and was the cause of his own downfall. His refusal to listen to anyone but his naive self, caused him to lose the power he gained and ultimately his life, through horrid, gruesome actions. His jealousy was his drive for gaining power, this was his main fault. If he had listened to others and not given in to his ambitions he may have been able to avoid his tragic fate. All his actions caused a shift in the life of many but mainly his own had drastically
Firstly, Macbeth's ambition is what led him to success, but it is also what pushes him over the edge. This ambition also makes him seem suitable for Thane of Cawdor, as well receiving positive recognition from the king. That same ambition makes him constantly want more, and become eager for control. His desires overtook his morals, . While committing crimes, Macbeth's thoughts are full about what he will gain from these acts, becoming king and staying as king, before realizing what he is doing, ending lives.
Set in the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare’s play Macbeth explores the glory and downfall of Macbeth. While Macbeth is a brave and violent man he is also depicted as sympathetic. Macbeth's guilt is the key to his sympathetic character early in the play but slowly changes to an unrecognisable man fueled by the need for the power that he believes to be his “fate” by starting a murderous violent rampage Ambition and power is a large theme throughout the play and in Macbeth’s Character. Macbeth is introduced to us as a “loyal”& “noble” man and is widely admired by all characters including King Duncan and Banquo. But is permanently corrupted when he gets his first taste of blood and proceeds on a murderous violent rampage.
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, neighboring characters around the central protagonist, and the lead himself, evolved from and endured many treacherous psychological transformations. Amongst the characters, none experienced a greater change in mental health to the extent that Macbeth had. Through the entirety of the play, Macbeth’s morals and perception of aspiration are hindered by greed, ambition, selfishness, and external forces. By using dramatic devices such as dramatic irony, nemesis, and soliloquies, Shakespeare is able to bring focus to the deterioration of Macbeth’s character.
Mental illness has a strange history. In the past, people have regarded mental illness as “the work of demons, external spirit forces, and poisons,”(Evelyn), and to this day the cause of mental illnesses is still unknown as they all manifest differently, though some can be described as involving “present distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. Such deviations in thought, feelings, and behavior have been recognized throughout history in all cultures”(Mental Disorders). Even Shakespeare toys around with the concept of mental illness as seen in his play Macbeth; especially when it comes to the character Lady Macbeth. When the audience reads closely between the lines, they will find three mental illnesses that Lady Macbeth has, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Psychotic depression, and they can all be traced back to one thing: the night of Duncan’s murder.
This quote illustrates how Macbeth's ambition is so strong that it clouds his judgement and ultimately leads to his downfall.