MACBETH AMBITION

MACBETH AMBITION

1. Macbeth's life

2. Acknowledges "Vaulting ambition" (1.7.27)

   • After reason not kill Duncan
   • Ambition left, overrule troubled conscience

3. Influence of L.M & Witches power, only because ambition

4. First met M, startled & fearful thing sounding "so fair" (1.3.53)

   • Ambition triggered treasonous thoughts

5. M hero but fatally undermined by ambition

   • Consequences of ambition form play

6. Idea of tragedy

7. M weakness is ambition

   • (Fall from grace and die)

8. Contrast ambitions

   • A02

9. M reaction to heir to throne as obstacle, "That is a step/ On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap/ For in my way it lies" (1.4.48-50)

10. B have ambitions, doesn't act on them, M pursues them

11. Explored also L.M, strong when M weavers, M strong when L.M breaks down

12. Role of fate

    • ******

13. What extent M responsible for downfall?, ambition triggered by witches

14. More powerful driver-M ambition or hand of fate?

    • Argue great tension from both forces

15. AO1

    • M sees Mal as obstacle (1.4)
    • M admits "vaulting ambition" (1.7)
    • Mal ambition, overthrow M (4.3)