Macbeth: The Theme of Ambition

Critical vocabulary and key thematic concepts regarding ambition in Shakespeare's Macbeth as discussed in the lecture.

Ambition

A desire to be successful that can relate to many things, such as career, money, or even social status.

Unchecked ambition

A force for evil that upsets the fabric of humanity and society, characterized by the pursuit of success without a moral conscience.

O'erleap

A word meaning to jump over, used by Shakespeare to create imagery of Malcolm and Duncan as obstructions in Macbeth's path to the throne.

Black and deep desires

A phrase referring to Macbeth's turning treasonous thoughts that he wishes to keep secret from the stars (fate or God).

Illness

In Lady Macbeth's assessment, this represents the darkness or lack of morality required to attend ambition and carry out the murder of Duncan.

Unsex me here

Lady Macbeth's command to evil spirits to remove her feminine traits and fill her with direst cruelty to gain the power and will of a man.

Jacobean audience

The historical audience for whom Lady Macbeth's ambition would have been disturbing because women were considered the weaker sex.

Like the poor cat in the adage

A simile comparing Macbeth to a cat that wants a fish but will not wet its paws, suggesting he lacks the ambition to get his hands dirty.

Naught's had, all spent

Lady Macbeth's realization that achieving their ambition has resulted in a fearful and unsatisfied existence without content.

A walking shadow

A metaphor used by Macbeth in the final act to compare life to something insubstantial and pointing to his loss of humanity and purpose.