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Macbeth learns of his fate from the Witches
"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!"
Macbeth's ambition towards being king stems from this encounter with the witches and it affects his decision-making from here on out. It is the turning point of his motivation to become king. -
Lady Macbeth's intense ambition pushes her husband to kill Duncan and take power
"Thou wouldst be great
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it" Lady Macbeth coaxes her husband into seeing his full potential as a ruler and leader. -
Lady Macbeth plots to kill Duncan and bring her husband to the throne
"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it" This is Lady Macbeth's saying as she plots to kill Duncan and advises her husband to follow the same philosophy she does -
Ambition is the cause of Macbeth's mental trauma and why he begins to kill all who threaten his power.
"I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on th’other" Although Macbeth doesn't have any actual desire to kill innocent people, he is pushed forward only by his ambition. -
Macbeth and his wife both kill Duncan despite him being a good king.
"Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;...
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye…”
Despite knowing how much Duncan is loved by his subjects and all the good he does for his people, Macbeth and his wife still want to kill him. -
Macbeth kills his loyal and good friend, Banquo.
“Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.” This is one example showing how much respect Banquo gives towards Macbeth. He has done nothing wrong but ambition for power simply takes over Macbeth's mind and makes him forget how good of a friend Banquo is. -
Because of Macbeth’s desire to be king, he wanted to kill Banquo’s son, as the witches said they would become kings.
"Always remember that I must be free from suspicion. For the plan to work perfectly, you must kill both Banquo and his son, Fleance, who keeps him company. Getting rid of Fleance is as important to me as knocking off Banquo." This shows how threatened Macbeth feels by not only Banquo but his son Fleance, as well. His ambition for power is what is increasing his desire to kill more and more people (any possible threats). -
The witches lull Macbeth into a false sense of security by telling him he is safe and there is nothing he should be worried about.
“ He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear. His hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear. And you know all know, security id mortals’ chiefest enemy.” The witches are manipulating Macbeth's mind and giving him the wrong idea. All they want is to be able to control others' lives and make them confused and miserable and their ambition to do that is their biggest motivator. -
Ross recognizes that ambition was the cause of Macbeth's death
"Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up. Thine own lives' means! Then 'tis most like.The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth" Although Ross doesn't know who killed Duncan he realizes that whoever did, was motivated by ambition. -
Macduff’s ambitious qualities in trying to get revenge for his family, leads him to killing Duncan.
"I have no words; my voice is in my sword." Macduff isn't much of a dramatic character, he is simple and just wants to get his work done. His ambitious self is just trying to get justice for his family and wants to kill Macbeth in the simplest way possible.
