Macduff's Loss Of Ambition In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

The idea that pursuing passion without forethought can be detrimental to an individual's character; particularly when defying morals is evident in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Shakespeare argues that those who “art not without ambition”(I, v, 18) have the ability to completely change their own perceptions, and morals. This is evident in characters such as Lady Macbeth and Macbeth; whose greed, and hubris for the throne converted them into murderers. Although these two change detrimentally by cause of their passions, they are not alone. Macduff also changes through his greed for vengeance on Macbeth. Throughout the play this trio of characters change for the worse; through their determination to achieve and preserve their passions. The first

She knows that he will be the “serpent” (I, v, 57) in the king's “Garden of Eden”. This taints Macbeth's loyalty, respect, and honour into desire and passion. Macbeth’s passion is to make the woman he loves as joyful as can be, no matter the cost. Macbeth loses sight of his passion, after the throne is achieved; because he feels the need to preserve it. Being so distracted in what he believes needs to be done, Macbeth forgets why he is doing it. Macbeth’s passion, and love for his wife fade in the shadow of what he has become. Arrogance leading his sword; Macbeth murders Banquo, and Macduff's family without further guilt as he is already so far “in blood”(III, iv, 146). Lady Macbeth’s passion and desire corrupted a once honourable, respectable man to the point her death is but fuel toward his hubris and toward his war for power. The Macbeth of Act one would have cried over his dead wife, but he has lost sight of his passion. More so Macbeth says “Life’s but a walking shadow” (V, v, 26) and that everyone is bound to die, so he did not cry. Hubris of a man believed to be invincible is to blame for his unexpected reaction to his wife's death. Unconsciously Macbeth pursued his passion for his wife, which negatively affected his character by desensitizing his morals; changing Macbeth into a bloodthirsty

Malcolm suggests revenge to Macduff, which is answered by saying nothing could be worse than losing one's family. Macduff believes that because Macbeth has no children true justice can not be achieved. Macduff is affected by their death, in the sense that nothing could compare to what he has been through. This is a paradigm shift in Macduff’s character, being that he now has nothing left to lose. Obsessed with the death of Macbeth, changing his character from the level headed man into the vengeance thirsty man, hereafter. Macduff speaks of his wife and children who still haunt him. Begging “fortune, to find”(V, vii, 24) Macbeth, Macduff’s Character change is evident as he seems to be irrationally wrapped in anger. His passion being that the only thing he wishes for is Macbeth’s death. Having “no words” and with his “voice in his sword” (V, iii, 9) Macduff is clearly very different than the start of the play. Macduff’s conquest was in vain and was unneeded. Unneeded because Macbeth would have died either way, but Macduff felt it his responsibility to avenge his family. This negatively affects Macduff’s character, because he put his own need above that of the majority. In the past Macduff would have never been so blindly wrapped with revenge. Macduff seeked out his passion so madly he didn't take time to think about the