Ambition Out of Hand

Ambition can be a good thing but it can also be a tragic flaw. Let me remind you of Macbeth (you did study the play in high school, didn’t you?). This noble Scottish Thane of Glamis defeated the rebellious Thane of Cawder and then was awarded all the lands of the dead Cawder, as well as his title. Macbeth had been a great warrior in King Duncan’s army, and was touted for his bravery. But be had this tragic flaw in his character. When the three witches predicted he would be Thane of Cawder, and that came true, he decided to believe them when they called him King of Scotland. Then he wrote a letter to his wife, revealing his dream to be king. She was even more ambitious than he. But Macbeth had murdering the king in mind before she read his letter about the witches.

Many classroom instructors teach that the murder of King Duncan was Lady Macbeth’s idea and she drove her husband to it. No, that is not what Shakespeare said. It was after Macbeth wrote her of his wish to be king, and told her about the witches’ prophecies, that she determined to help him. Then she egged him on, belittling his manhood for hesitating to act on his own behalf. She laid the daggers ready, and Macbeth killed King Duncan, who was an overnight guest at their castle.

Macbeth became king and never had another placid day. His conscience made him miserable, yet he killed right and left to secure the throne and keep it. Lady Macbeth, tortured by horrible dreams, went mad, depriving Macbeth of the courage she had instilled in him. Finally Macduff severed Macbeth’s head from his shoulders and a son of Duncan became king of Scotland.

I bring up this drama because of its two types of killing. Shakespeare clearly defines the difference between killing the enemy in time of war and murdering for personal gain. Macbeth’s conscience did not bother him in the least till he killed out of his own ambition to be king. War is bad, and often, perhaps usually, a game on a chessboard for politicians, and a target for protest from chronic unpatriotic citizens because they don’t understand the difference between these two types of killing.

It is said almost any subject in school can be taught from the works of Shakespeare. I’m inclined to believe it. But he does make one big error in Hamlet. That’s coming up.

♥