James Williams

Miss Skirtich
13 December 2017
English 12: British Literature

"Macbeth" Thesis Paper

"Macbeth" can best be summarized by the words of Salvador Dali, "Intelligence without

ambition is a bird without wings." Just like Dali, William Shakespeare, an English playwriter, is

known as being the best at what he did. Shakespeare wrote a total of 37 plays, but he is best

known for writing the tragic love story, "Romeo and Juliet". Some of Shakespeare's other famous

works include "Hamlet" and "Macbeth". Throughout all of his plays, Shakespeare included

themes such as ambition and greed. Shakespeare reveals ambition versus greed in "Macbeth"

through the witches' prophecies, corruption of power, and deteriorating relationships.

First, Shakespeare reveals ambition versus greed in "Macbeth" through the witches'

prophecies. Macbeth hears the witches' prophecies and becomes enamored by the thought of

becoming king and sovereign ruler of Scotland, "If good, why do I yield to that suggestion

whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs" (I.iii.138-

140). In this instance, Macbeth says he is thinking about murdering King Duncan. Macbeth says

he is full of ambition, but he is really full of greed since this action will only benefit himself.

Another time when Shakespeare uses the witches' prophecies to reveal ambition versus greed is

when Lady Macbeth hears the news of the witches' prophecies saying, "Glamis thou art, and

Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o' th' milk of

human kindness to catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but

without the illness should attend it" (I.v.16-21). In this instance, Lady Macbeth tries to instill

confidence in Macbeth, while also telling him that he does not have what it takes to be king.
Lady Macbeth thinks she is being ambitious since she is looking out for the good of her husband.

However, Lady Macbeth is really being greedy since she is only looking out for herself.

Additionally, Shakespeare reveals ambition versus greed in "Macbeth" through

corruption of power. After hearing that Malcolm will be the next sovereign ruler of Scotland,

Macbeth grows ambitious saying, "The prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall

down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and

deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be which the eye fears, when it is done, to

see" (I.iv.50-55). In this instance, Macbeth says he must take action and step over Malcolm, now

prince of Cumberland. He also tells the stars to go dark so no one will see what he is about to do.

Macbeth thinks he is being ambitious, but he is really being greedy since he is harming King

Duncan, as well as the future of Malcolm. Another time when Shakespeare uses corruption of

power to reveal ambition versus greed is when Banquo gets a feeling that Macbeth killed King

Duncan saying, "Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird women promised, and

I fear thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said it should not stand in thy posterity, but that

myself should be the root and father of many kings. If there come truth from them—as upon

thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—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.1-10). In this instance,

Banquo says he suspects Macbeth cut corners to become king. Banquo also recalls the witches'

prophecies and tells himself to be quiet about his thoughts. He is being ambitious since he is

doing it for his son.

Furthermore, Shakespeare reveals ambition versus greed in "Macbeth" through

deteriorating relationships. After leaving for England to join forces with Malcolm in an attempt

to dethrone Macbeth, Macduff encounters Macbeth saying, "Either thou, Macbeth, or else my
sword with an unbattered edge I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be; by this great

clatter, one of the greatest note seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune, and more I beg not"

(V.vii.19-24). In this instance, Macduff is searching for Macbeth so they can fight. He is being

very ambitious and focused. Another time when Shakespeare uses deteriorating relationships to

reveal ambition versus greed is when Macbeth learns about Lady Macbeth's death saying, "She

should have died hereafter. There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and

tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded

time, and all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life’s 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.17-

28). In this instance, Macbeth reflects on Lady Macbeth's death, saying she would have

eventually died anyway. Macbeth also reflects on how life is slow and purposeless and how

everyone is either a fool or an idiot. This demonstrates Macbeth's ambitious downfall.

In conclusion, Shakespeare reveals ambition versus greed in "Macbeth" through the

witches' prophecies, corruption of power, and deteriorating relationships. Ambition and greed,

one of the major themes of the play, influence the characters' thoughts and actions, as well as the

major events that make "Macbeth" the great play it is.