Greed and Ambition in Macbeth

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  • Greed and Ambition in Macbeth
    • Key Characters
      • Macbeth
      • Lady Macbeth
        • Macbeth is set in a violent, male-dominated society, so Lady Macbeth can only achieve her ambitions through Macbeth
      • Banquo
      • The Witches
        • Represent ugly ambition
    • Quotes
      • "I have no spur to pr*ck the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other " Macbeth - Act 1 Scene 7
        • He compares his current situation to horse riding - ambition is the metaphorical spur he, the rider, uses to motivate his horse.
          • However, a horse rider may overestimate their ability when trying to jump an obstacle and consequently fall down.
            • This foreshadows Macbeth's tragic end
      • "Yet I do fear thy nature is too full o' th' milk of human kindness"  Lady Macbeth - Act 1 Scene 5
        • Shakespeare may have chosen her to say this when we are first introduced to her to foreground that Lady Macbeth's defining trait is ambition.
          • In contrast, we are introduced to Macbeth when he is in battle which suggests he is brave and noble
      • "We'd jump the life to come"
    • Scenes
      • Act 1, Scene 5
        • Lady Macbeth's soliloquy - she has no doubts about killing Duncan
      • Act 2, Scene 3
        • Macbeth pretends to be shocked and upset about Duncan's death
      • Act 2, Scene 3
        • Malcolm and Donaldbain run away, in fear of their lives, which make them look guilty. This allows Macbeth to take the throne.
      • Act 3, Scene 1
        • Banquo has ambition but it doesn't corrupt him like Macbeth
      • Act 3, Scene 2
        • Macbeth wants Banquo and Fleance killed so they don't threaten his throne
      • Act 1, Scene 7
        • The Macbeths decide to kill Duncan
    • Linked Symbolism

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