Why is Macbeth’s ambition bad?

At the end of the play, Macbeth’s ambition caused him to lose Lady Macbeth to suicide and to no longer have moral sense. Ambition led to Macbeth’s downfall because Lady Macbeth and the witches caused him to make brainless decisions that caused his collapse.

Why was Shakespeare’s ambition bad?

It seems that Shakespeare thought of ambition as a doomed effort to rise above the ordinary and establish oneself above it. In that effort a man (or woman) will offend – offend individuals, society or nature – and will therefore have to be brought down if equilibrium is to be restored.

How is Macbeth’s ambition bad?

Macbeth has ambition and nobility at the beginning of the play, so that is why he is a tragic hero. Macbeth’s ambition takes over him throughout the play because his actions are based on his fate given to him by three witches. His ambition to become King and follow the prophecies cause Macbeth to succumb to evil.

How does Macbeth’s ambition make him a tragic hero?

Macbeth fits the role of a tragic hero because he is born to nobility, and he has good character. But his fatal flaw, his ambition, leads to his death at the end of the play. It also pushes him to commit many atrocities, including murder, as he falls deeper and deeper into darkness.

Is ambition Macbeth’s tragic flaw?

Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his ambition and it consequentially leads to his downfall and ultimate demise. Macbeth is a tragic hero who is introduced in the the play as being well-liked and respected by the general and the people. He brings his death upon himself from this tragic flaw.

What is an example of bad ambition in Macbeth?

Ambition caused Macbeth to commit multiple homicides and after those wrongdoings Macbeth is left with nothing. At the end of the play, Macbeth’s ambition caused him to lose Lady Macbeth to suicide and to no longer have moral sense.

How can too much ambition be a bad thing?

In excess, ambition damages reputations, relationships, and can lead to catastrophic failure. On the other hand, too little ambition can make the person in question look lazy and unmotivated. Further, it can result in mediocre performance, boredom, and a bleak sense of futility.

How did ambition and lies lead to Macbeth’s downfall?

Although this ambition brought him to his height of power, it was also what led him to his downfall. Macbeth had become so obsessed with becoming King, and remaining powerful, that he transformed into a completely different man. It led him to become power hungry, greedy, violent and to commit regicide and murder.

What is the message of ambition in Macbeth?

Horses jump over obstacles and Macbeth’s ambition will propel him to clear the obstacle of Duncan. However, the word also has other suggestions, which Macbeth realises. Ambition is something of a problem – it may help the rider clear an obstacle, but it may also make the rider go down.

How does Macbeth’s ambition affect others?

The consequences of the ambition in this play are dire. Many innocent people are killed, and Macbeth dies known as a tyrant, which is a significant downfall because he started as a noble hero. Also, neither Macbeth nor his wife get the opportunity to enjoy the things that they gained.

Where is Macbeth’s ambition shown?



The events of Act 1, Scene 5, display the ambition of both Macbeth and his wife. Lady Macbeth reflects on her husband’s character and acknowledges that he may have ambitious dreams and could be king, but thinks that he is too gentle and not willing to display the ruthless behaviour to make those dreams come true.