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Examples Of Ambition In Macbeth

Decent Essays

Macbeth shows us that people can become violent due to their ambitions, to the point of being callous and apathetic to others. For example, at the beginning of the book, Macbeth and his friend, Banquo, are visited by the Weïrd sisters, who tell them that the sons of Banquo will be king. Upon becoming king, Macbeth fears that Banquo will inherit the throne, so he decides to murder both Banquo and his son. Macbeth states, “Upon my head they placed, a fruitless crown… no son of my succeeding. To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings. Rather than so, come fate into the list, and champion me to th’ utterance,” (3. 1. 85), and later, “It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, If it finds heaven, must find it out tonight,” (3. 2. 91).

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