ambition/greed Flashcards
overview
In Macbeth, greed and ambition drive the characters to their downfall. Macbeth’s desire for power leads him to murder King Duncan and commit more violence to stay in control. Lady Macbeth, pushing him to act, also spirals into guilt and madness. In the end, both are destroyed by their unchecked ambition and greed.
“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires”
One key quote that highlights Macbeth’s ambition is: “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires” (Act 1, Scene 4). The metaphor of “black and deep desires” suggests that Macbeth’s ambition is not only strong but also something he knows is morally wrong. The adjective “black” connotes darkness, evil, and secrecy, while “deep” implies that these ambitions have always existed within him but are now rising to the surface. By calling on the “stars” to “hide” their “fires,” he is asking for darkness to conceal his thoughts, which links to the theme of deception and foreshadows how he will later hide his crimes. The contrast between “light” and “black” is significant, as light traditionally symbolizes goodness and divine order, while darkness represents sin and chaos. This shows that Macbeth is aware of the unnatural nature of his desires, yet he still chooses to embrace them. Shakespeare’s use of celestial imagery here also suggests that Macbeth feels a sense of fate or destiny guiding him, which links to the influence of the witches and the idea that his ambition is being manipulated by supernatural forces.
“unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty
Similarly, Lady Macbeth’s ambition is shown in “unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty!” (Act 1, Scene 5). The imperative verb “unsex” is crucial as it shows that she believes femininity is a weakness that must be removed for her to achieve power. This reflects how, in the Jacobean era, women were expected to be passive and submissive, but Lady Macbeth rejects this and instead embraces violence and ruthlessness. The phrase “fill me from the crown to the toe” suggests she wants to be completely consumed by cruelty, leaving no room for hesitation or remorse. The noun “crown” could also be a subtle reference to the throne, hinting that her desire for power is just as strong as Macbeth’s, if not stronger. The use of hyperbole in “top-full of direst cruelty” intensifies her ambition, making it seem almost unnatural, as if she is willing to abandon her humanity entirely. Shakespeare’s use of violent and bodily imagery here foreshadows the bloody acts that will follow and highlights how she sees murder as a necessity rather than an evil.
“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” (Act 3, Scene 2)
“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” (Act 3, Scene 2)
The metaphor of “scorpions” suggests that Macbeth’s thoughts are poisonous and dangerous, constantly stinging him with the urge to remove any threats to his throne. The choice of “scorpions” instead of a more passive image, like “worries” or “fears,” shows that his ambition has become aggressive and uncontrollable. The plural form highlights the overwhelming nature of his desires—his mind is not just troubled, but completely infested with deadly ambition.Furthermore, the phrase “dear wife” is ironic because, at this point, Macbeth is no longer confiding in Lady Macbeth as an equal. Earlier in the play, she was the dominant force pushing him to murder Duncan, but now, Macbeth is taking control. By referring to her affectionately while planning further killings without her input, Shakespeare presents a shift in their relationship. Macbeth’s ambition is now independent, making him colder and more dangerous.Additionally, this line foreshadows Macbeth’s decision to have Banquo and Fleance killed, proving that his ambition is no longer just about seizing power but about eliminating all threats, no matter how ruthless he must become. Shakespeare warns the audience that unchecked ambition can lead to paranoia and a loss of morality.
“What’s done is done.”
“What’s done is done.” (Act 3, Scene 2)
This short, declarative sentence suggests that Lady Macbeth is trying to suppress any regrets and remain in control. The repetition of “done” makes it seem final, as if she is forcing Macbeth (and herself) to move forward. However, the phrase carries a sense of desperation—Lady Macbeth is beginning to realize that ambition does not end with one murder. The audience understands that Macbeth is already planning his next crime, making her attempt to close the matter seem naive. Moreover, the phrase “what’s done is done” is deeply ironic because later in the play, she contradicts herself by saying “What’s done cannot be undone” (Act 5, Scene 1) during her sleepwalking scene. This contrast shows how her ambition, which once made her confident, has now been replaced with guilt and paranoia. Shakespeare uses this shift to show the consequences of greed—while Macbeth becomes more ruthless, Lady Macbeth is slowly unraveling. Shakespeare also presents Lady Macbeth as losing power in this scene. Earlier, she manipulated Macbeth with rhetorical questions and attacks on his masculinity, but now she relies on simple, detached statements. This suggests that, despite her ambition, she is losing control of both her husband and herself
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.
At the end of Macbeth, Shakespeare powerfully shows how unchecked ambition and greed lead to the downfall of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. By this point, their ruthless desire for power has left them isolated, broken, and doomed. “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.” (Act 5, Scene 5). Here, Shakespeare uses metaphor and imagery to show how Macbeth sees life as meaningless. The phrase “walking shadow” suggests that ambition has consumed him to the point where he no longer feels like a real person—just a hollow figure. The extended metaphor of a “poor player” (actor) emphasizes that Macbeth now sees life as a performance that ends in nothing, reinforcing his disillusionment. His ambition, which once gave him purpose, has led to emptiness. This is ironic because earlier in the play, he was desperate to secure the throne at any cost, yet now he feels it was all worthless. Shakespeare presents him as a tragic figure who has been destroyed by his own greed.
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)
Here, Shakespeare uses symbolism and repetition to show Lady Macbeth’s overwhelming guilt. The “spot” represents the metaphorical bloodstain of her crimes, showing how ambition has driven her to madness. The exclamation and repetition reflect her desperation—she once believed they could simply “wash” their hands of the murder, but now she is tormented by the consequences of their greed. Shakespeare presents her as a tragic victim of her own ambition, showing how unchecked desire for power can destroy a person from within.
conclusion
In Macbeth, Shakespeare shows that greed and ambition lead to destruction. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth think power will bring them success, but it only leaves them broken and alone. Macbeth becomes a ruthless tyrant, while Lady Macbeth is destroyed by guilt. Shakespeare warns that ambition without limits leads to disaster, showing how their greed for power ends in their downfall.
