Macbeth is a good man undone by his ‘vaulting ambition’. Dedimuni Nimrada Silva 10th Grade

Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth portrays the protagonist Macbeth, as a good man undone and led astray by his ‘vaulting ambition’ as well as external pressures, from his wife and the witches. In the context of this play, ‘good’ is defined as a man with courage, exceptional fighting skills and unquestionable loyalty to his king and his country. ‘Undone’ means to having been led astray from the conventions of society and ‘vaulting ambition’ is the inner drive to achieve a goal, regardless of obstacles. Macbeth is introduces as ‘brave’, but then is influences by both internal (ambition) and external (Lady Macbeth and the witches) forces, to then in the end, become an apathetic tyrant.

Shakespeare introduces Macbeth as the protagonist of the play, who having been won a battle is deemed as “Brave Macbeth- who deserves that name”, and a man with “brandished steel”. Shakespeare implements imagery to emphasize his iron-like courage and unyielding nature. Even after hearing the tempting prophecy of the witches, Macbeth is portrayed to still have maintained a calm, rational and logical mind, for he says, “If chance will have me King, then it shall do so without my stir”. Through the use of personification and giving ‘chance’ human...