Essay: Uncover How Macbeth’s Overpowering Ambition Blinds Common Sense in Shakespeare’s Play

Sachin Shurpalekar
Ms. Ryan
English 2H Period 5
08 November 2019
Overpowering Ambition in Macbeth
Ambition is one of many traits that needs to be handled well in order to be used successfully. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the main character of the play, is filled with great intentions to take his place as king by committing regicide. Although he is very determined, his objective blinded him into a period of violence, in which he shaped his future. Through this, we can see how his ambition overpowers his common sense. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses character foils and foreshadowing in order to portray the idea that ambition is a much stronger characteristic when not under control.
Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to help describe Macbeth’s ambition and how it will affect his future. First, the three witches are used as a method of foreshadowing to make Macbeth’s “fate” clear. This was seen in Act 1 Scene 3, where the first witch prophesied that he would become Thane of Glamis and the second proclaiming that he would become Thane of Cawdor. On the other hand, the third witch describe Macbeth’s fate, later foreseeing that he would become king. Due to these predictions, Macbeth’s response, “Two truths are told/As happy prologues to the swelling act/Of the imperial theme,” (1.3.140-142), show how he responds to these prophecies. Macbeth realizes that the witches’ first prophecy came true, so he assumed that the second, where he became king, would also automatically follow. Therefore, this elevated his self-assurance, as he started to become eager to move along with his plan for the path to kingship. The violence of the crime that he would have to commit to get the crown did not occur to him as he was absorbed in the idea of being king. As you can see, his ambition continued to rise due to his belief in the words of the witches. This led to his conquest of the kingdom, where he committed regicide by killing Duncan in his attempt to usurp the throne. Second, Macbeth later doubts his own regicidal plan in his monologue that acted as a turning point in the play. He realizes that:
I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on th’other. (1.7.25-28)
Shakespeare uses metaphor here to illustrate Macbeth’s realization that he has no motivation to kill Duncan, only having ambition to push him over to commit the murder. This acts as foreshadowing, as Macbeth later follows through due to his overpowering ambition. Overall, foreshadowing acts as a great device to define Macbeth’s ambition as an irrepressible weapon that would later lead to his demise.
Macbeth’s character foils help define his personality, as their qualities contrast with those of Macbeth. First, Banquo, Macbeth’s ally and commander of the royal army, acts as a foil for Macbeth due to his In the play, Macbeth, Banquo is a character foil for Macbeth. In the beginning of the play, the three witches enter with their prophecies for Banquo and Macbeth. Banquo then asks them to speak, as he is interested in their predictions. On the other hand , Macbeth does not believe their predictions can become reality. Macbeth’s ambition is based on the witches’ forecasts as a sign that he must commit regicide against King Duncan, revealing his true nature. On the contrary, Banquo’s good side is shown through the prophecy. Later, Banquo warns Macbeth that:
“And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s
In deepest consequence. (1.3.135-138)
Banquo is aware of the prophecies from the start, as he shows his goodness when he tells Macbeth that he will talk to him about the future and his loyalty and friendship with Macbeth after he kills Duncan. This shows how Banquo is internally and externally a good person, as he confronts Macbeth and honors their friendship. Macduff acts as another foil to Macbeth, as he is everything that Macbeth is not. Where Macbeth is heartless and will do whatever it takes to get the throne, Macduff is emotional and is sensitive to his surroundings. For example, Macduff express true emotion when he sees Duncan dead, crying:
Ring the alarum bell.–Murder and treason!
Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm awake!
…
And look on death itself. (2.3.86-89)
Macduff calls upon Banquo, Donalbain, and Malcolm to come see and realize that death exists, and can be horrifying to see in person. This humanizes Macduff, and allows the audience to sympathize with him as he journeys through his expressive emotions. On the other hand, Macbeth merely acts his heart out in his attempt to fake his condolences for the king’s death. These character foils were necessary in helping describe Macbeth’s ambition as his greatest weakness because the contrasting characteristics accent his strengths and weaknesses. This allows the audience to realize that his attempts to gain power obsolete when compared to his overpowering ambition.
Shakespeare’s use of character foils and foreshadowing in Macbeth is necessary in order to portray the idea that ambition is a much stronger characteristic when not under control. Foreshadowing is seen throughout the play with Macbeth’s realization of the horrible deed he is about to do. He notices that he has no form of motivation, but follows through with the crime anyway due to his determination of becoming king. Foreshadowing was also seen with the witches, who had prophecies for Macbeth and Banquo. This allowed the audience to foresee Macbeth’s future as king. It also allowed us to see Macbeth’s dark side, where he got tempted for the crown and took every chance he could get. On the contrary, Banquo’s contrasting characteristics allowed him to act as a foil for Macbeth. These opposite forces helped accent Macbeth’s strengths and weaknesses. Also, Macduff as a foil character helped us sympathize with him, as he was emotional as opposed to Macbeth, who faked his sensitivity when crying over Duncan. As you can see, Macbeth’s ambition overpowered him to the point where he had no control over his fate.