Ambition Theme
As Macbeth’s cowardice and indecision prevent him from realising his ambition for the
throne, Lady Macbeth is forced to compensate for the determination he lacks. Nevertheless,
the restrictive expectations of Jacobean society that denied women direct political agency
force her to use him as a tool through which she can indirectly wield power and realise her
own ambitions.
● Misogyny: Lady Macbeth: “speak, speak” VS Macduff “O gentle lady”
○ LM’s use of imperative, commanding tone, strong.
○ But Macduff only sees a weak woman before his eyes who he believes is
incapable of even bearing the horrifying thought of murder, let along be
complicit in the act. Connotations of “gentle”: weak, vulnerable, innocent,
fragile
○ Societal injustice that LM faces - she has to choice but to manipulate Macbeth
and use him as a tool in order to achieve her ambitions
● Manipulation: “That I may pour my spirits in thine ear”
○ Metaphor, image of direct psychological manipulation of M by LM, indirectly
controlling his actions, transferring her evil to him through words, infiltrating
his mind, infecting his mind. Mb is simply a tool through which she can exert
her power, an intermediary step she must take due the perception of women
in the Jacobean era as weak and intellectually inferior.
○ Also, another connection between her and the supernatural “spirits” she calls
on, her power is unnatural and ungodly
● Contrasting attitude to ambition: “Like the poor cat i’th’adage”
○ Simile, use of a proverb about a cat who can’t catch fish because he’s scared
of water. He desires great things but lacks the courage to achieve his
ambitions! - contrast to Lady Macbeth, with a distinct “can do” attitude
○ “Poor” = patronising, mocking.
○ “Cat” = dehumanising, mocking comparison to a weak animal.
○ Humiliation, a form of manipulation.
The tragic irony is that their ambition drives the protagonists to attain power by illegitimate
means, through the sacrilegious murder of Duncan which disrupts the natural order and
defies God’s will. As a result, the suspicion of their subjects causes immense paranoia and
drives them into a cycle of irrational, tyrannical violence.
● “A falcon tow’ring in her pride of place was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed”
○ Parallel with D’s murder, D= majestic, noble and M = inferior, unworthy,
overreaching, usurped position of his rightful superior, above his station.
○ Turmoil of natural world reflects disruption of divine right of kings
○ M is unworthy of kingship, D was rightful king, disruption of divine right of
kings, also disrupted natural order of food chain, disrupting natural order.
● “The right-valiant Banquo walked too late”
○ Use of heavy irony and sarcasm, while conveying the information that court
has officially agreed that Banquo was murdered by his son, Flean, as he has
As Macbeth’s cowardice and indecision prevent him from realising his ambition for the
throne, Lady Macbeth is forced to compensate for the determination he lacks. Nevertheless,
the restrictive expectations of Jacobean society that denied women direct political agency
force her to use him as a tool through which she can indirectly wield power and realise her
own ambitions.
● Misogyny: Lady Macbeth: “speak, speak” VS Macduff “O gentle lady”
○ LM’s use of imperative, commanding tone, strong.
○ But Macduff only sees a weak woman before his eyes who he believes is
incapable of even bearing the horrifying thought of murder, let along be
complicit in the act. Connotations of “gentle”: weak, vulnerable, innocent,
fragile
○ Societal injustice that LM faces - she has to choice but to manipulate Macbeth
and use him as a tool in order to achieve her ambitions
● Manipulation: “That I may pour my spirits in thine ear”
○ Metaphor, image of direct psychological manipulation of M by LM, indirectly
controlling his actions, transferring her evil to him through words, infiltrating
his mind, infecting his mind. Mb is simply a tool through which she can exert
her power, an intermediary step she must take due the perception of women
in the Jacobean era as weak and intellectually inferior.
○ Also, another connection between her and the supernatural “spirits” she calls
on, her power is unnatural and ungodly
● Contrasting attitude to ambition: “Like the poor cat i’th’adage”
○ Simile, use of a proverb about a cat who can’t catch fish because he’s scared
of water. He desires great things but lacks the courage to achieve his
ambitions! - contrast to Lady Macbeth, with a distinct “can do” attitude
○ “Poor” = patronising, mocking.
○ “Cat” = dehumanising, mocking comparison to a weak animal.
○ Humiliation, a form of manipulation.
The tragic irony is that their ambition drives the protagonists to attain power by illegitimate
means, through the sacrilegious murder of Duncan which disrupts the natural order and
defies God’s will. As a result, the suspicion of their subjects causes immense paranoia and
drives them into a cycle of irrational, tyrannical violence.
● “A falcon tow’ring in her pride of place was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed”
○ Parallel with D’s murder, D= majestic, noble and M = inferior, unworthy,
overreaching, usurped position of his rightful superior, above his station.
○ Turmoil of natural world reflects disruption of divine right of kings
○ M is unworthy of kingship, D was rightful king, disruption of divine right of
kings, also disrupted natural order of food chain, disrupting natural order.
● “The right-valiant Banquo walked too late”
○ Use of heavy irony and sarcasm, while conveying the information that court
has officially agreed that Banquo was murdered by his son, Flean, as he has
