The Differences in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s Degree of Ambition

Shakespeare’s Macbeth has been considered by many experts a successful tragic play over all other Shakespeare tragedies. The play reveals the concept that ambition could lead a hero astray In Macbeth we see the gradual change of Macbeth‘s and Lady Macbeth’s characters that ultimately led to the end of their lives. They both shared the same ambition, yet their degree of ambition was different. In the first act, we, the audience see Macbeth as a courageous warrior who was loyal to the king. But after he had heard the witches’ prophecies, he was ambivalent.

He didn‘t know whether to kill Duncan or just let Fate decide the future for him Irresolution was a weakness in Macbeth’s character. He had let the witches’ prophecies corrupt his mind and conscience. On the contrary, Lady Macbeth radiated determination to get what she coveted through her persuasive character. Our first impulse would lend to define Lady Macbeth as a good wife who wanted to help her husband in achieving his ambition, but we soon realize that underneath she was a scheming and treacherous woman. She possessed a greater ambition than Macbeth.

Her eloquent speech and perfect plan enticed Macbeth to do what she wanted MacBeth was physically strong but mentally weak thus, he forsook his conscience and followed the disloyal plan. After the murder of Duncan, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth revealed their evil nature sidet Macbeth regained his conscience and felt guilty about his deedt Mentally, Lady Macbeth was much stronger than Macbeth. She helped MacBeth to get over his feeling of guilt; yet nothing could undo their crime. The path that they took was treacherous to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth themselves. Both characters had let their ambition overrule their life.