Macbeth - Ambition

Question 1

How is ambition shown

Answer 1

Violent imagery
Avaricious desire for power
Manipulation and corruption

Question 2

How is ambition shown in Act 1,7 by LM

Answer 2

Through her shaming M’s masculinity

Question 3

How is LM ambitious in Act 1,7

Answer 3

• Organised, willing to take charge - swiftness with which she shares her plan with Macbeth (implying she has thought it all through) able to convert Macbeth from ‘we will’ to ‘if’
• absolutely focused on what she wants regardless of others; lack of empathy
• relentless in her attack on Macbeth, series of questions and accumulation of insults

Question 4

Evidence of LM being ambitious in Act 1,7

Answer 4

• Presented as Macbeths ‘spur’
• Enters and interrupts Macbeths soliloquy - symbolises she isn’t interested in his thoughts
• LM understands M well - shown by the way she attacks his identity as a soldier (‘afeard,coward,valour,cat’: ‘does unmake you)
  -LM understanding of being a man is focused on pure courage and violence
• image of ‘dash[ing]’ her own babies brains out
• her rude tone against a thane and her husband in patriarchal society
• LM is the stronger partner, has more dialogue

Question 5

Act 1,5

Answer 5

‘Fatal entrance’
‘Shalt be what thou art promised’
‘My battlements’
‘Leave the rest to me’ (me is last word)
‘Unsex me’ willing to undergo physical changes and drink ‘gall’ which is poison
‘O never shall sun that morrow see’