Ambition quotations✅

Macbeth quotations for ambition theme

v a w o l i

Vaulting ambition which overleaps itself

Vaulting ambition which overleaps itself

• Metaphor shows how Macbeth is aware that his ambition is leading him down a dangerous path, but follows it anyway

• Shakespeare highlights here how unchecked ambition leads to self destruction

S h y f l n l s m b a d d

Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires

Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires

• Shows how Macbeth struggles to suppress his immoral thoughts, highlighting the mental turmoil he faces

• Word “desires” shows how his thoughts are coveted and shameful

• He is too cowardly to be open about his thoughts, but too ambitious to stifle them

• Juxtaposition between light and dark imagery shows mental conflict

U m h

Unsex me here

Unsex me here

• Imperative shows her demanding nature and recalls the incantations of the witches, showing her alignment with evil

• She wants to rid herself of any gender, as this would allow her to become more ruthless and ambitious in pursuing power

M m s h k a m r

Make my seated heart knock at my ribs

Make my seated heart knock at my ribs

• His heart knocking shows his fear at his own thoughts

• Signifies Macbeth’s initial moral state, however as the play goes on he descends into madness and tyranny

• Personification of heart reveals his inner conflict, illustrating the tension between ambition and morality

N h a s

Nought’s had all’s spent

Nought’s had all’s spent

• Shows the harmful consequences of ambition - Lady Macbeth exposes how she has lost everything and gained nothing

• Highlights futility of the ambitious pursuits, reflecting on the cost of their actions.

i i a t t b a i

It is a tale told by an idiot

It is a tale told by an idiot

• Declarative statement shows nihilism and a belief is life is devoid of meaning

• Encapsulates the despair that Macbeth faces, as he watches his ambitions collapse and starts to see the consequences of his actions