MacBeth and Ambition

Ambition is needed in everyone's life. Ambition is one of the factors that are needed for success and is also an essential ingredient for the dominant male in his quest for eminence. In Macbeth, the eponymous character demonstrates that ambition is a necessary quality in a leader. Macbeth is a courageous fighter that has won many battles. However, his quest to become king leads to his own tragic demise because ambition is like a double edged sword. It is a weapon, murdering King Duncan. Before Duncan's murder in scene 1 act 7, Macbeth is ambivalent and challenges and calls into question his tendencies and actions in his soliloquy. Macbeth ponders over the advantages and disadvantages of killing Duncan. Last year it happened when
In the very beginning of the soliloquy, Macbeth considers all the advantages of murdering Duncan. Macbeth starts to worry that killing the king too late may cause devastating consequences. The beginning of Act I, scene 7 start with, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well; It were done quickly." Macbeth at this point feels that if the crime is done quickly and committed at the right time, then he wouldn't have to worry about the consequences. He is stuck between if he should commit this crime at all. Macbeth suggests that he would stick with the plan , if he were knew that this would be the "be-all and the end-all, here" He is worried that such an act of murder will come back to the haunt the one who performs it, which in this case would be Macbeth. Macbeth is having second thoughts. Macbeth is worried that if he does perform the deed, it might backfire and haunt him. . When the soliloquy is coming to an end, Macbeth comes to the conclusion that the one and only motive to slaughter Duncan is ambition. At the end of the soliloquy, it states "Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself, and falls on th'other." Macbeth believes if he continues to proceed in this murder attempt, the result will just be where he started. He won't have gained anything so the whole attempt would have been pointless. Macbeth not only considered the positive consequences of killing, but also the many negative consequences of murdering Duncan.
The ambivalent Macbeth considered a lot of negative consequences of killing Duncan before making his final decision. Because Duncan is a guest and Macbeth is the host; Macbeth should, by common sense, be required to protect and entertain his guests, not murder them while they are sleeping. In the soliloquy, Macbeth reveals his thoughts when he said "Here's in double trust; First, I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host." Macbeth is considering the question: why should Duncan be killed? In Macbeth's eyes, Duncan has been a great king and has aided Macbeth when he is in need. Macbeth thoughts are clashing between ambition and logic. His ambition is almost strong enough to fog up his common sense. He believes that Duncan's murder would not be justified in the eyes of heaven. Macbeth believes he wouldn't be trusted by the people if he were to attain Duncan's throne. Macbeth shows his inner conflict when he says "We still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th' inventor." The bloody instructions Macbeth is referring to is the murder of Duncan that Macbeth believes would eventually come back and haunt him forever. Also, Macbeth believed that if he did kill Duncan, the many common people would realize that he was not the heir, and most possibly would start rumors that Macbeth probably killed Duncan. That would make it very effortful to try to obtain the trust of people. Lastly, Macbeth is indecisive in making his decision, because he believes that he would be chastised in hell for committing such a heartless murder. He expresses his feelings when he says "But here upon this bank and shoal of time; we'd jump the life to come." The life that Macbeth is referring to, is the after life, which he believes will be eternally brutal if he does commit the deed. Macbeth at the very end of the soliloquy makes up his mind after considering all his options and commits the murder.
Macbeth throughout the soliloquy is shown to be wondering and thinking over whether he should kill or not. Even though he was ambivalent of whether to kill, he chooses to give in to his ambition. He believes that ambition to become king is the one and only reason why he has the stomach to do it. His character is a strong example of how ambition for power corrupted people and transformed people from a normal brave soldier into an apprehensive murderer. Nothing in the world can stop a man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal and nothing on earth can help that same man with the wrong mental attitude. Macbeth who sacrifices his conscience to ambition shows truly how strong ones' ambition can be. Almost everyone has their own dreams and desires, but if attaining those goals include going against the law and deceit, the results can be bloodcurdling and tragic.