M - Ambition Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is the first sign of ambition that Macbeth shows?
A1 S3 “Stay you imperfect speakers. Tell me more”
After the first time speaking to the witches he is ambitious to know more about the prophecies
When does lady macbeths ambition start?
A1 S5 “unsex me here” “take my milk for gall”
After reading Macbeth’s letter about the witches she becomes ambitious and is willing to sacrifice herself.
In A1 S7 why is macbeth losing ambition to kill Duncan?
“He’s here in double trust”
Macbeth would be betraying Duncan’s trust.
“We still have judgement here that we but teach”
There will still be consequences for murder
What does he say at the end of his soliloquy in A1 S7 that suggests he has brought his ambition back?
“To prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which over leaps itself and falls on the other”
This suggest Macbeth is like an eager rider who is so ambitious to ride the horse, they try to mount it but fall of the other side.
In Macbeths dagger soliloquy (A2 S1), what quotes show his ambition
“Fatal vision”
This shows he is seeing himself killing.
“Thou marshall’st me to the way that I was going”
He is being lead towards Duncan showing that is where he wants to go.
In A3 S1 what does Macbeth say that shows his ambition for safety and therefore killing Banquo
“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.”
Also in A3 S1 what does Macbeth say that shows his ambition has lead to nothing of use and needs to carry on
“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, / And put a barren sceptre in my gripe.”
A4 S1 is one of the first times we see Macbeths ambition turn to paranoia. What quote shows this
“Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of thee? / But yet I’ll make assurance double sure.”
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?
This hallucination reveals Macbeth’s inner struggle as ambition begins to overpower reason
“Out, out, brief candle! / Life’s but a walking shadow…” — Macbeth (5.5)
Macbeth realizes that his ambitious pursuits have been meaningless—life feels empty.
“But that myself should be the root and father / Of many kings.” — Banquo (3.1)
Banquo is ambitious for his descendants, but he chooses patience and integrity over betrayal or violence.
“O nation miserable, / With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered…” — Macduff (4.3)
Macduff’s ambition is not personal power, but justice and the good of Scotland—ambition for the greater good
