Themes: The Corrupting Effects of Ambition
In his soliloquy at the beginning of act 1, scene 7, Macbeth admits to himself that he has no good reason to murder Duncan. If the king had been oppressive or incompetent, there might have been a patriotic argument for killing and replacing him to benefit Scotland, but Macbeth has no reason to think that he will be a better king than Duncan; indeed, he quickly proves to be much worse.
It is clear from his first entrance that Macbeth is ambitious in a way that his fellow thanes are not. Banquo, for instance, is similar to Macbeth in situation, yet his straightforward honesty in the way he treats those around him—from the witches to King Duncan to his son—renders him a foil for Macbeth’s more duplicitous and corruptible nature. Similarly, Macduff, essentially the hero of the play, has no thoughts of claiming the crown of Scotland for himself after killing Macbeth. Instead, he leaves the throne to Malcolm, who, unlike Macbeth, assumes power out of a sense of duty rather than out of personal ambition. Macbeth’s hunger for glory is personal from the very beginning, and once he overcomes his reservations about killing Duncan, he degenerates into abject tyranny very quickly. He no longer even needs Lady Macbeth to goad him on, and there is no evidence that she is complicit in his later crimes.
Macbeth’s ambition is never satisfied. As soon as he is crowned king of Scotland, he becomes aggrieved that he will not be the founder of a great dynasty, like Banquo. This is something that he clearly knew all along, but once he has achieved his crown, he immediately starts wanting more, even if what he wants is impossible. It quickly becomes clear that Macbeth will never be the type of ruler who, however violently he acts to achieve his ambition, is happy once it is attained. Macbeth is never satisfied, and getting what he wants only ever corrupts him further.
Expert Q&A
What does Macbeth mean by "Stars hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires. / The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be / What the eye fears, when it is done, to see" in Macbeth?
"Stars hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires. / The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be / What the eye fears, when it is done, to see."
When Macbeth speaks these lines, he means that he wants the stars to go dark so that no one will be able to observe him and see his disloyal desire to be king. He knows that he will have to do terrible things to become king, now that someone else has been named the heir, and he does not want to witness the bad things his hands will have to do, like kill Duncan.
Explanation and analysis of the quote "To prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th'other" from Macbeth
In this quote from Macbeth, Macbeth reflects on his ambitious desires, acknowledging that his intent to commit murder is driven solely by his "vaulting ambition." He compares this unchecked ambition to a horse that jumps too high and falls, suggesting that his ambition might lead to his own downfall.
In Macbeth, what is the dramatic significance of the quote about the smell of blood and perfumes of Arabia?
"Here's the smell of blood still. All perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand."
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth", the dramatic significance of Lady Macbeth's quote about the smell of blood and the perfumes of Arabia is its reflection of her deep-seated guilt. The quote occurs in Act V, Scene 1 when Lady Macbeth, overwhelmed by remorse for her role in the murder of King Duncan and others, imagines that she can smell the blood on her hands and believes it can't be washed off, even by all the perfumes of Arabia. This signifies a drastic transformation in her character, from a manipulative and ambitious accomplice to a guilt-ridden and mentally unstable woman.
What is the significance and meaning of this quote from Macbeth?
"They hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip."
The quote from Macbeth reflects his insecurity about his legacy and his reign's impermanence, based on the witches' prophecy. They predict that while Macbeth will become king, Banquo's descendants will ultimately inherit the throne. This prophecy leads Macbeth to view his power as transient and his symbols of authority—the crown and scepter—as ineffective and barren. Macbeth's fear that Banquo's lineage will outshine his own causes him deep anxiety and foreshadows his tragic decisions driven by a desire to prevent this outcome.
What is Macbeth discussing in this quote, and how does it relate to the plot and its significance?
Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate, and furious,
Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man.
Th' expedition of my violent love
Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan,
His silver skin laced with his golden blood,
And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature
For ruin’s wasteful entrance; there, the murderers,
Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers
Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain,
That had a heart to love, and in that heart
Courage to make ’s love known?
In the quote, Macbeth discusses his murder of the grooms, which marks a turning point in the plot as it's the first time he deviates from Lady Macbeth's plan. This act leads to Macduff's suspicion and ultimately Macbeth's downfall. Macbeth's actions also further the theme of appearances versus reality, as he presents himself as a hero avenging Duncan's death, despite having committed the murder himself. The exaggerated language and Lady Macbeth's feinting add to the dramatic tension and suspicion surrounding Macbeth.
Who is addressed and what is the significance of Macbeth's quote: "To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself. Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst."?
"To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself. Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst."
Macbeth addresses himself and the person knocking. He expresses a desire to be unconscious to avoid facing his guilt and wishes the knocking could wake Duncan, showing his deep regret. This quote highlights Macbeth's initial conscience and remorse, contrasting with his later descent into further immoral actions, illustrating his tragic fall from a good man to a tyrant.
What quotes show Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's greed for the throne?
Quotes that show Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's greed for the throne include Macbeth's aside in Act I, Scene 4: "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." Another significant quote is Macbeth's reflection: "I have no spur...but only Vaulting ambition." Additionally, Lady Macbeth's chilling determination is evident in her speech: "I would...Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, And dash'd the brains out." These quotes highlight their unrestrained ambition and willingness to go to any lengths for power.
The significance of the quote "He hath honored me of late, and I have brought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon" in Macbeth
The quote from Macbeth highlights Macbeth's internal conflict about murdering King Duncan. He acknowledges that Duncan has recently honored him and that he has earned respect from various people. Macbeth fears that committing the murder would tarnish his newfound reputation and squander the positive opinions others hold of him.
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