Macbeth Ambition essay Flashcards
To prepare and remember quotes for an essay on how ambition is presented in Macbeth
Define Ambition
Desire and determination to achieve success.
Episodes where ambition is presented as constructive
-Macbeth defending his king
-Malcolm and Macduff wanting to restore order to Scotland
Episodes where ambition is presented as bad
-Macbeth killing Banquo to maintain his legacy
-Lady Macbeth convincing Macbeth to murder Banquo
-When Macbeth questions his prophecies.
3 ideas you’ve picked for the essay
-Macbeth’s ambivalence towards killing Duncan is caused by Lady Macbeth
-The more Macbeth realizes his ambition, the more he has to lose.
-Ambition isn’t always a bad thing, and can be constructive
Quotes for 1st paragraph (LMs influence)
- “Like a coward in thine own esteem”
Guilt tripping M
-“So green and Pale” - LM questioning Ms masculinity
- “I go and it is done; the bell invites me” -Shows the change in one scene between Ms mindset.
Quote(s) for intent to kill Macduff (The more M realizes his ambition, the more he has to lose
“The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand” - Ambition and urgency (Act IV scene 1)
Quote(s) for Before Banquo’s death (act 3, scene I)
- “Upon my head they place a meaningless crown” - Unless Banquo dies Macbeth’s ambition results to nothing
- “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent but only vaulting ambition” Transgression due to ambition
- “Mine eternal Jewel” - Ambition to maintain his legacy
-“Whose being I do fear” - Paranoia
Quotes for Paragraph 3 (Ambition can be constructive)
- “The service and the loyalty I owe in doing it pays itself” - Ambition to be of service to Duncan and to be loyal (Act 1, Scene 4)
-“It cannot be call’d our mother but our grave” - Malcolm’s ambition to restore order to Scotland.
-“New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven in the face” - Macduff’s ambition to restore order to scotland due to Ms tyranny.
