Shakespeare clearly explores the consequences of betrayal and greedy ambition through
the character Macbeth and the results of his actions in the play. Both betrayal and greed
have proved to have a negative effect on someone's relationship with others. The negative
effects of these two themes are thoroughly conveyed through Macbeth when he is making
decisions.
The theme of ambition is shown to blind someone and fuel their deepest and darkest
desires.
This is most prominent with the character Macbeth and the knowledge he has about the
choices he wanted to make. Throughout the play, viewers also see how Macbeth's choices
and decisions lead to his downfall as well as the disruption of the natural order. He is fueled
by his ambition and even though he understands the evil nature of his actions, he still
proceeds with them regardless and this in turn affects his relationship with others, as he is
blinded by his desire to become king. Macbeth's greed blinds him to the good that surrounds
him and as the play continues to progress, viewers are shown the harsh results Macbeth has
to suffer through due to his greed and evil desires. In the play, Macbeth is shown to realise
just how detrimental his actions are. This is distinctly expressed in Act One Scene 7 where
Macbeth contemplates the murder of Duncan. His soliloquy emphasises his understanding
of what he is about to do and he begins to question himself in this scene. “If the
assassination could trammel the consequences, and catch with his surcease..” Here,
Macbeth contemplates the murder of Duncan like hunting a wild animal, especially through
the use of the word trammel. The metaphor illustrates how he wants an easy way out and
wishes that the consequences of this murder can be caught in a net, along with his success
of the King's murder. He knows there will be consequences and states that he has no
justifiable reason for killing Duncan except for vaulting ambition. This is reiterated when he
says “ I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition” A metaphor
is used within this quote to prove that his ambition drives him to fulfill his desire for power
and he justifies this to himself. He knows this whole scheme is against the natural order
because you cannot kill the king as he is appointed by God, he is killing family and guests
should be welcomed and cared for as he is the host. These points are further reinforced with
the quote “..then, as his host, should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife
myself.” meaning as a host, Macbeth should protect Duncan, not kill him, Even so, Macbeth
decides to put his selfish desires before anything else and in the end, this ambition becomes
his undoing, as he still follows through with the murder because of his greedy ambition.
Ambition is proven to fuel one's darkest desires and this is clearly illustrated through the
character Macbeth and his knowledge of his actions.
The acts of betrayal in Macbeth are shown to influence someone to become the worst
version of themselves.
Betrayal is shown to be a significant theme throughout the entire play especially in Act One.
From the beginning of the play to the end, the audience sees the way in which the
consequences of betrayal affect an individual and their relationships. A main example of this
is the relationship with Macbeth and Banquo and the extreme actions Macbeth takes to
become king. He resorts to murder and this destroys his relationships with those that are
close to him. Macbeth continuously makes irrational choices which influences him to make
reckless and selfish decisions based on the deceiving words he decides to believe. His
reliance on the witches encourages him to betray the king and his naivety and greed cloud
his mind from the good that surrounds him. The first sign of betrayal is evident within
“Macbeth” in the first act where the Thane of Cawdor has his title taken away because of his
betrayal and Macbeth is rewarded for his loyalty by being given the title as the new Thane of
Cawdor. King Duncan trusted the Thane of Cawdor up until he killed him and this directly
foreshadows how he is surrounded by those who wish to overthrow him because he is too
trusting. This scene clearly shows how betrayal is the most prominent theme of the play and
how it leads to consequences for an individual. In scene 6 of Act 1, Duncan arrives at the
palace, commenting on how welcoming and pleasant it seems. “This castle hath a pleasant
seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.” This is dramatic
irony because both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth aren’t planning anything welcoming or
pleasant at all as they plan to kill him. In Act 3 Scene 1, Banquo voices his thoughts about
Macbeth and his suspicions about Macbeth's betrayal. He states that “I fear, thou play’dst
most foully for’t. In this quote, alliteration is used in the ‘f’ sounds and the words ‘fear, foully
and for’t express Banquo's anger and frustration for the current situation. This specifically
shows how his relationship with Macbeth is becoming more distant and he doesn't believe
he can trust him anymore.
Shakespeare's Macbeth clearly shows how the theme of betrayal affects an individual's life
and relationships.
Overall, the play Macbeth by Shakespeare evidently proves how ambition and betrayal affect
an individual and how they can fuel one's actions negatively, resulting in harsh
consequences for not only themselves, but the people and the world around them.