Shakespeares Macbeth - Subversion of Reason by Ambition...

Macbeth: Subversion of Reason by Ambition Throughout the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the reasoning of the central characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, is completely subverted by their insatiable ambition. At first, Macbeth is reasonable enough to keep his ambition under control. However, his ambition gradually becomes stronger and eventually overpowers Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is controlled by ambition from the very beginning. After the decision is made to kill Duncan, all rational thought is abandoned. Once the murder is planned, there is no serious questioning of the misleading predictions of the three witches. Macbeth even goes as far as to ask for the witches’ advice a second time - this second time would lead to†¦show more content†¦- I thank you, Gentlemen. - This supernatural Soliciting/Cannot be Ill, cannot be good. If Ill, Why hath it given me Earnest of Success, / Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. If Good, why do I yield to tat Suggestion/Whose Horrid Image doth unfix my Heir And make my seated Heart knock at my Ribs/Against the use of Nature (I.iii.125-135)? Even as Macbeth questions their motives, he does not come to the logical assumption that these three evildoers are pushing him down a path filled with evil and despair. He says that their visit cannot be ill, cannot be good(I.iii.129) demonstrating that his ambition has not completely overtaken him. Not only does Macbeth question the motives of the witches, he also questions the moral implications of killing Duncan and presents an argument against killing his beloved king. Hes here in double trust:/First, as I am his kinsman and his subject Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, /Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan/ Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues/ Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off (I.vii.12-16). His ambition is present because he does seem to be ready to refute the title of King and in fact accepts the