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QUESTION: Choose one or two themes from 'Macbeth' and discuss how that theme is developed through the relationships in the play. William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth is a tragic tale abundant with themes that relate to audiences from all generations. The theme of ambition is ultimately one of the most important themes in the play and it is developed through many various relationships. Love, friendship and power develop the theme of ambition to the extent of luring the plot to chaos and destroying many of the characters lives.
The relationships alter Macbeth's way of thinking and his actions originating from those thoughts make people question his sanity. He becomes paranoid, heartless and his life twists into a spiral of deceit, treachery and murder. His ardour for power transforms him from an honest, noble man, to a ruthless, insecure tyrant. The relationships he manipulates have a dramatic impact on his raging ambition. That is the very element that eventually destroys his reputation, his life, and those of others. Macbeth is evidently the key character in most of the relationships.
After receiving the prophecies, his ambition for the throne becomes more profuse. Although he is hesitant, his wife motivates him to act on the ambition to decide how he wants his future to be. Together they explore their deep desires for power and show their similar ambitions. Macbeth's loyal friend, Banquo provides an obvious contrast to Macbeth. This relationship displays their friendship, but also how they drift apart after hearing the prophecies. Macbeth is angered that Banquo's son would inherit the crown, saying, Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my gripe, (III, i: 65) Macbeth knows he has to kill his friend to keep the crown but still he betrays Banquo's trust and breaks their code of friendship.
The relationships in the plot do not necessarily revolve around people. Macbeth's relationship with power is a major element that influences him to act on his ambition. In the beginning, Macbeth's ambition is a passive asset, meaning he can hold back on his desires. However marriage, friendship and his craving for power mutates Macbeth's sanity. The tyrannical king kills his friend, excludes his wife and eventually cares about nothing but power. Ambition deeply explores a dangerous theme, which no one should deal with.
The binding force of marriage conveniently shields the malicious ambitions of Macbeth and his wife. Their relationship starts as one of love and family, but their desire for the throne tears them apart. In Act one, Lady Macbeth pushes Macbeth to kill King Duncan: When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than you were, you would Be so much more the man. (I, vii: 55) When Lady Macbeth commences plotting Duncan's murder, she asks the spirits to send her masculine courage. Ironically, she is the only one who possesses the courage to go through with the deed.
Macbeth hesitates, not wanting to betray Duncan's trust, but his wife accuses him of being a coward. She says he would be a real man if he does it for her. If it wasnt for these persuasions by his beautiful, but spiteful wife, Macbeth may not have assassinated the king. Macbeth may have had his own ambitions, but his wife's determination for power was so great, it motivated her husband to act on his somewhat weaker desires.
Karma enters the story when Macbeth's rise to power switches the status of their relationship. Macbeth no longer needs his wifes encouragement so he excludes her from his future plans. Lady Macbeth consistently tells Macbeth to forget what they had done, but her conscience overwhelms her. Turning her insane. Their love disintegrates and their relationship turns the perception of ambition into a powerful enemy.
Should Macbeth have paid the price for what he wanted? He does exactly this when he is told he would be King. However, his friend Banquo does not want to dishevel his code of honour. The theme of ambition requires an essential contrast to the power-hungry Macbeth. The relationship between Macbeth and Banquo is one of friendship. They fight together and are honoured together.
Both men receive prophecies, but their lives conclude very differently. Banquo's passive personality blocks him from making his own decisions to fulfill the prophecies. However, Act III Banquo holds a deep suspicion that Macbeth is the opposite. Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well And set me up in hope? But, hush, no more! (III, i: 8) The relationship between Macbeth and Banquo clearly shows the difference in ambition. Both possess it, but Macbeth has a superior desire for power.
Banquo wants his prophecies to come true, but he lets nature take its course. Unfortunately, Macbeth kills Banquo before Banquo's prophecy comes true. Macbeth feels threatened by Banquo, as his son would take over the throne in due time. This jealousy leads to more evil, lies and eventually to murder.
Even though Banquo goes to his grave, he lives and dies a greater man than his friend, just as the witches had said. This relationship alters ambition yet again into an unstable theme, where no one should trust each other. Macbeth's zealous desire for power controls his life and develops the theme of ambition more than any other relationship. Macbeth cares about nothing else but the throne and he wouldnt let anything obstruct his path to power. After being pushed to evil by his persuasive wife, Macbeth's ambition for power increases until he does not need to be told what to do next. He starts plotting his own deeds and shocks his wife with his new attitude.
He appears bold and brave on the outside, but his insecurity seeps through his personality in his soliloquies, I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go oer. (III, iv: 168) Before Duncan's murder, he realises there would be no turning back, so he decides to go further to ensure his future is secure. This ambition overpowers Lady Macbeth's desire and eventually he doesnt care about love, loyalty or justice. His relationship with power becomes so fanatical, it overcomes all other elements in the play. Ironically, Macbeth knows very little about real power at all. As Magnus from Shakespeare's Discussion Desk states: His limited view of what power means destroyed the fabric of relations that he and everyone else in the kingdom had been woven into. How did the theme of ambition conclude?
What did Macbeth acquire through his petty attempts? Love, friendship and power are among the countless relationships that develop the theme of ambition. However, ambition gets Macbeth nowhere. He begins as a noble warrior, and his relationships distort his thoughts to malevolent, lethal plots. His marriage fails, his friendships dissolve and his reputation is ravaged. Macbeth's relationship with power is transformed from a desire, to a necessity.
Eventually his ways destroy his life and he realises it as well. Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. (V, v: 26) Macbeth's life concludes with him knowing how worthless his existence had been. Not once, had he or his wife been happy. They had gained nothing through their efforts. Scotland had become a country of poverty and Macbeth was to blame.
The ambition in the play turns in a never-ending circle, ending where it had started. Everyone has an ambition for life, but Shakespeare instructs the audience to make our own future. We should not let our relationships ruin our lives like Macbeth did. Shakespeare's stories all involve different themes and relationships that relate to all people of the world. These lessons are why they will be read for many years to come.
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Research essay sample on Desire For Power Macbeth And Banquo
