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Ambition in Macbeth

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Submitted By shubhambhatia
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Does Shakespeare write about issues that are still relevant today? Even though Shakespeare wrote his well renowned plays in the 12th century, his main themes and prominent messages are still relevant today. Shakespeare Macbeth and Mark Brozel’s reworking strongly suggest that Shakespeare does write about these issues. Macbeth is a classic tragedy which is so versatile that it can be set in any context.
Ambition is the most prominent theme in Macbeth. The audience sees ambition run riots in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s mind, who try so hard to fulfil their desires, no matter what the cost is. For example, Macbeth goes from a good, loyal and honest general to a murdering maniac. This is what ambition does to a human being. It brings out the darkest of demons in a human being.
“For mine own good
All causes shall give away. I am blood
Stepp’d in so far that, I should wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er”- Macbeth (Act 3, Scene 4)
Shakespeare uses the technique of similes to compare Macbeth’s crimes as that of him walking through a bloody river. In this simile, Macbeth is comparing his heinous crime to wading through a bloody river. It is Macbeth’s thinking that once a man commits a murderous act for his personal gain, it is impossible to stop. Macbeth implies that turning back would be as tedious as committing the crime.
In Mark Brozel’s 2005 adaptation of Macbeth, Macbeth-Shakespeare Retold, the theme of ambition is explored in a different context but with the same plot. Joe Macbeth (Macbeth) knows that he will always be over worked and under paid for his work and so does his wife Ella (Lady Macbeth). In order to eradicate this problem, the couple come up with a plan to murder Duncan (King Duncan). In Brozel’s adaptation, Joe Macbeth wants it all, to be at the top, to be safe at the top and he is willing to do anything to stay at the top.

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