Essay --

1. Ambition is the most shown theme in Macbeth. In the story it shows how ambition run right through Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, when they try completely change themselves to fulfil this urge for ambition. For example Lady Macbeth was very ambitious when she says, "Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the toe top full of the direst cruelty. Make thick my blood." 2. Macbeth tragic flaw was his need to have power, vaulting ambition, and being too naive. He never thought about the consequences of killing Duncan and all of his other actions. His need for power led him to kill innocent people to protect himself and his power in the play. 3. One reason is because Macbeth was caused to kill Duncan because of his ambition. He was so determined on becoming king that he was ready to do anything to get the top of the throne. The other reason is that the three witches told him that he would become the thane of Cawdoor and would then become the king. When he became the thane of Cawdoor, he thought that all the things that the witches said would come true, so he killed Duncan because he wanted it to become true. An example from the book is when he said, "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent but vaulting ambition." 4. Malcolm's characteristics are used to really show Macbeth's negative qualities. In Act IV, Malcolm and Macduff are speak about the fall of Macbeth. Malcolm admits to Macduff that he has his own sins and worries about his ability to carry the crown as well as his father did, when he says, "It is myself I mean; in whom I know All the particulars of vice so grafted That, when they shall be open'd, black Macbeth Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state Esteem him as a lamb, being... ...al thoughts! unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty" 11. All sympathy goes out the window for Macbeth when he decides to kill Banquo and his family, because it was very unnecessary, he was now taking away innocent lives. An example from the play is when he says, "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." 12. One internal is his trouble with his conscience about the murder of Duncan. He could not decide whether he should murder him in order to get the crown. One external is when Macbeth is hallucinating while awaiting Lady Macbeth's signal the tolling of a bell to proceed with the plan to murder Duncan. Macbeth's external conflict is if he should let the tolling of her bell decide his fate for him.