Ambition annotations

Question 1

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself”

Answer 1

Macbeth describes his own fear

• Call his ambition vaulting
  - Suggesting its too extreme
• Shows extreme ambition leads to murder and madness for the individual and tyranny for the country

Question 2

“Two truths are told, as happy prologues to the swelling act of the imperial theme.”

Answer 2

• Growing excitement as two prophecies came true
  - Starts to believe the third prophecy
• Begins to trust the supernatural
  - Lust for power its “swelling”, gets bigger and bigger

Question 3

it is too full o’ the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it”

Answer 3

• Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to do whatever it takes to become king
  - Sharing her extreme ambitions

Question 4

“ that I may pour my spirits in thine ear“

Answer 4

• Evil ambitions

- Encourages Macbeth to carry out Duncan’s murder when he has doubts

Question 5

which thou esteem’st the ornament of life and live a coward in thine own esteem

Answer 5

• Calls Macbeth a coward

- Further use of her deceitfulness on Macbeth

Question 6

“our power is ready… Macbeth is ripe for shaking,

Answer 6

• Malcolm and Macduff are driven to rid Scotland and restore the legitimate bloodline to the throne
• Shakespeare suggest some ambitions is good
  - Strive to be strong warriors and to maintain power
  - Extreme ambition is shown to be terrible for everyone