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Macbeth

i was wondering if anyone could give me a mark out of 15 as im just really focusing on the extract - I do AQA gcse but i dont really mind any personal opinions and markings on this. The questions is:

Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character.

Write about:

-how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character in this speech
-how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character in the play as a whole

the speech is act 1 scene 7 Macbeths soliloquy

Shakespeare intentionally constructs Macbeth as a character full of ambition which was initially destined for greatness, however, he ends up being morally corrupted and ends up leading to his own downfall. Shakespeare does this to reveal to the Jacobean society how unchecked ambition can destroy both conscience and humanity.

Throughout the extract, Macbeth is presented as having an internal conflict between himself on whether he should commit the act of regicide or to maintain his moral compass. his opening lines, "If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly." reveal his desire to persevere with the deed, as if swiftness could somehow reduce the weight of his plans. "It were done quickly." reveal his desire to persevere with the deed, as if swiftness could somehow reduce the weight of his plans. the euphemistic pronoun "it" for the act of killing duncan underscores Macbeth's reluctance to confront the full horror of his contemplated action directly ; This hints at Macbeths deep-seated unease and foreshadows the psychological turmoil that will plague him because somewhere within him, he knows this is wrong, but of course, its not enough to stop him. Perhaps Shakespeare does this to convey a message to King James soldiers; Do not even think of rebelling against the king or it will lead to your demise.

Furthermore, Shakespeare illustrates that by dealing with the greatest sin - regicide - you will be taught even in the afterlife. Macbeths awareness of "even handed justice" serves as a reminder of the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (Galatians 6:7). Macbeth had killed the king, and just how he had sinned, it had reflected into how he ended - murdered. The mention of regicide being a 'plague' refers to regicide being a disease leading to Macbeths downfall. It serves as a warning to the audience about consequences of regicide and ironically Macbeth knows of the risks of the machinations of his evil plans where he is bound by his 'Vaulting ambition'. This feeling is so potent that it threatens to propel his own death.

Lastly, Shakespeare shows the dangers of ambition. Macbeth mentioning that he is here in "double trust" and that Macbeth is Duncan's "kinsman and his subject" shows recognition that he knows who he is towards the king - he is the kinsmen and his subject and should serve him which opposes Macbeths intent. "I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition," shows acknowledgement that the only reason and thing motivating him is his ambition but it could cause his downfall if he 'o’erleaps'. It could also be said that the thing he must 'o’erleap' is Malcolm who has been named prince of Cumberland - he serves to be an obstacle in Macbeth's way. The notion of ambition that overleaps itself poignantly captures Macbeths conflicted psyche; Macbeth is torn between his desire for power and the recognition of its potential to lead to his downfall and in this final utterance it seems as he tries to talk himself out of regicide. As the play progresses we see that he was overcome by his desires and ultimately led to Macbeth killing Duncan. Macbeth's downfall serves as a warning to the people of the Jacobean Era - ambition, left unchecked, can transform honour into horror.