In role as Macbeth, reflect upon what you have
learnt about the concept of ambition by the end of the play.
It once seemed such a positive
thing to be ambitious. To strive and work towards something I wanted. The work
was always tough, no matter what I was aiming for. Sometimes it would all seem
much too hard, retiring seemingly the best option. But my ambition always
pushed me forward, motivated to achieve my goals. And how sweet success was.
Once the tough times were over and all the hard work was done reaching a goal
was much more fulfilling than simply being handed what you wanted. But now I am
left wandering whether ambition is such a good thing. Everything I have done,
every sin I have committed was all due to my ambition which was twisted and
corrupted. The weird sisters
prophecies drove me to insanity, corrupting my ambition to a point beyond
repair. My ambitions, already firm in place, did not change, but the way I went
about it achieving them did. My desire for power was to strong to ignore. I
needed to be king and would go to unimaginable measures to assure my position
in the throne was secure. Ambition
so corrupt led me to King Duncan’s chambers late one night. He was the only
person standing between the throne and me so I killed him. I murdered the king.
Once I had killed one, each time it became easier. I became king, I had the
throne but my position was not secure. Banquo was suspicious. Also aware of the
prophecies, my best friend Banquo did not believe they could have come true
without me aiding them. He also knew that his descendants were to take the
throne, starting a new line of kings in his name. What if he chose to overthrow
my rule? I couldn’t risk it, so I ordered the murder of my best friend. The
prophecies had allowed my ambition to take the better of me. I was limitless,
killing anyone who threatened to strip me of my power. I even had Macduff’s
entire family murdered, even the women and children, because I feared his disloyalty
to me. My ambition, once one of my best features, is now my worst. I was weak,
allowing my ambition to be corrupted by the promise of power. And where has it
got me? Nowhere. I have murdered my king, my best friend and so many others.
And now I am alone. My dear wife, Lady Macbeth is gone forever and my own army
has turned against me. What’s done is done. I cannot take back my actions and
my corrupt ambition has now led me to my end. What was once my greatest feature
is now my greatest undoing.
