Key Theme - Ambition Flashcards

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1
Q

Macbeth quote on ambition (Act 1)

A

’’vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other’’ (Act 1)

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2
Q

analysis of ‘’vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other’’ (Act 1)

A

-personification: macbeth personifies his ambition portraying it as possessing a potency comparable to a human force that can exert influence and corrupt his formerly innocent mind.

-metaphor: metaphorical portrayal of Macbeths ambition as an untameable, animalistic force.

-when he acknowledges its eventual ‘’fall’’, it indicates Macbeth’s awareness that his all encompassing ambition is his hamartia destined to lead to his mental and physical decline.

-alternatively, this portrayal positions Macbeth as a victim ensnared by his own ambition, showcasing his introspective understanding of its fatal consequences and presenting him as vulnerable to its relentless influence.

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3
Q

Themes Macbeths ambition link to?

A

-Violence: Macbeths excessive ambition causes him to justify violent and heinous acts.

-Supernatural: Macbeth’s engagements with the supernatural serve as a catalyst for his ambitious aspirations, as he interprets the prophecies bestowed upon him as a mystic insight, further igniting his desire for power & fulfilment of destiny.

-Guilt: Macbeths conscience, tormented by guilt, is a direct consequence of his insatiable ambition. His ego, manifesting as an overwhelming desire for power, becomes the reason for his eventual physical & psychological downfall.

-Gender: Macbeths relentless pursuit of kingship is propelled by his emasculation he faces from his wife. Lady Macbeth, through her undermining of his manhood, poses a threat to his sense of identity, thereby intensifying his ambitions as he wants to assert and validate his masculinity.

-Appearance vs Reality: consumed by ambition, Macbeth desperately craves a cloak of deceit. His true desires fester beneath a carefully constructed facade, a mask he desperately hopes will conceal his ruthless agenda.

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4
Q

Lady Macbeth quote on ambition (Act 1)

A

“make thick my blood, stop up th’ access and passage to remorse” (Act 1)

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5
Q

analysis of “make thick my blood, stop up th’ access and passage to remorse”

A

-imperative: the imperative ”make thick my blood” illustrates how she commands for emotional restraint and a cruel indifference
-> recognising that her aspirations for tyranny require a detachment from femininity and the accompanying emotions, Lady Macbeth seeks to rid herself of these elements to pave the way for her ruthless ambitions

-femme fatale: this is a seductive and manipulative woman who can lure men into danger or sin- it is a common trope within literature and poetry
-> she is thus a femme fatale as she not only is manipulative but rejects her womanhood and motherhood - typical trope (theme or idea) of a femme fatale.

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6
Q

Lady Macbeth quote on ambition (Act 2)

A

“a little water clears us of this deed” (Act 2)

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7
Q

analysis of “a little water clears us of this deed” (Act 2)

A

under-exaggeration: Lady Macbeths ombipotent ambitions blind her to the profound mental turmoil Macbeth is experiencing
-> her cruelness becomes apparent as she employs litotes, such as the understatement ”a little”, not only trivialises the act of murder but also to emasculate Macbeth, encouraging him further along his murderous path

Euphemism: She employs euphemism (substituting a phrase or word with something less harsh/blunt) to characterise regicide as a mere ”deed”
-> this highlighting a conflicting aspect of her character as despite her ambitions to shed feminine traits and embrace tyrannical brutality, she struggles to articulate the gravity of the heinous act.
-> this foreshadows her descent into a melodramatic state of insanity in Act 5, where she grapples with an inability to fully grasp the enormity of the sins committed.

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8
Q

Themes Lady Macbeth’s ambition links to?

A

-Violence: Lady Macbeths ambitions defied Jacobean norms where women were confined to maternal roles. Unconventional and marked by a ruthless thirst for power her desires departed from societal expectations, reflecting a relentless pursuit of invincible and violent authority.

-Supernatural: her relentless desire for absolute power drives her to call on supernatural forces in her quest. She recognises that such an ambitious and malevolent vision can only be achieved with the aid of dark and otherworldly powers.

-Appearance vs Reality: Lady Macbeth’s aspirations and ambitions for cruelty and ruthlessness contradict her outward demeanour. Despite her feminine and delicate appearance, she internally has the traits of a tyrannical and merciless figure. This juxtaposition between her appearance vs reality enhances the effectiveness of her deceitfulness.

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9
Q

Banquo quote on ambition (Act 3)

A

“Royalty of nature” said by Macbeth (Act 3)

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10
Q

analysis of ”royalty of nature” (Act 3)

A

-Imagery on ”royalty”: The portrayal of ”royalty” conjures an image of *divine ordination (chosen by God to be king).
-> this signalling Macbeth’s acknowledgement of Banquo moral stature and respectability to one chosen by God

-Foil: Banquo serves as a foil to Macbeth, epitomising an ideal balance between ambition and respectability
-> As Macbeth descends from being “worthy” to a “hell-hound”, he constrasts sharply with Banquo’s ability to retain both ambition and piety (being religious).

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11
Q

Themes Banquoes ambition links to?

A

-Supernatural: banquet refrains from succumbing to unchecked ambition fuelled by supernatural prophecies - he abstains from indulging in the allure of these mystical prophecies, instead for a moral path aligned with the will of God.

-Appearance vs Reality: externally his demeanour exudes piety and morality, a reflection of the authentic nature that lies beneath. He remains unaffected to the allure of immorality and temptation, and has an unwavering commitment to moral principles.

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12
Q

Macduff quote on ambition (Act 5)

A

”i have no words; my voice is my sword” (Act 5)

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13
Q

analysis of ”I have no words; my voice is my sword” (Act 5)

A

-Violent Metaphor: in employing a violent metaphor, Macduff contends that the restoration of Scotland’s natural Order necessitates physical violence - his ambition is to rightfully restored Scotland.
-> thus the initial upheaval brought about by Macbeth’s violent tyrannical means, mandates a similar force to rectify the natural order that has been disrupted.
-> Macduff is the archetype (perfect example) of the avenging hero, motivated by revenge. Despite his personal motivations rooted in revenge, the nobility of his intentions shines through. His ambitious pursuit of dismantling Macbeth single-handedly to restore Order is materialising into reality.

-Short Sentence: the short sentence reflects the short amount of time that Scotland will have to continue to suffer.
-> by slewing Macbeth Scotland can be rightly governed and flourish under divine ordain.

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14
Q

Themes Macduffs ambition links to?

A

-Violence: Macduffs ambitions in slewing Macbeth and restoring order within Scotland shows that this necessities violence. The initial upheaval brought about by Macbeth’s violent tyrannical means, mandates a similar force to rectify the natural order that has been disrupted.

-Appearance vs Reality: Macduffs appearance does not put on a false facade instead his intent is genuine and sincere. His ambitions and goals are characterised by honesty and truthfulness that is dedicated to preventing Scotland from descending into any more turmoil.

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