ambition

what is the core idea of ambition?

shakespeare presents ambition as a powerful but dangerous force that leads to moral corruption

which 5 quotes represent ambition?

1. “vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself”

2. “stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires”

3. “art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it”

4. “i am in blood stepped in so far”

5. “lifes but a walking shadow”

what is the analysis of the quote “vaulting ambition which overleaps itself” ?

• the metaphor ‘vaulting’ suggest ambition is like a rider jumping too high

• ‘overleaps itself’ implies macbeth recognises his ambition will cause his downfall

what is the analysis of the quote “art not without ambition , but without the illness should attend it”

• lady macbeth sees ambition as needing ‘illness’

• suggests ambition alone isn’t enough and you must be willing to act immorally

• challenges gender roles

what is the analysis of the quote “stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires”

• light vs dark imagery

• stars = light, goodness, and morality whereas black desires = dark, evil ambition

• macbeth wants to hide his ambition, suggesting he knows it’s wrong

what is the analysis of the quote “i am in blood stepped in so far”

• macbeth is wading through blood

• suggests ambition has led to a point of no return

• shows violence has become habitual

what is the analysis of the quote “life’s but a walking shadow”

• nihilistic tone, ambition has life life meaningless

• ‘shadow’ suggests emptiness and lack of substance

what is the big structural idea?

at the beginning - ambition is tempting and exciting

in the middle - ambition leads to violence and loss of control

at the end - ambition results in emptiness and death