Macbeth Theme of Ambition Essay

 MACBETH -
‘My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,
Shakes so my single state of man that function
Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is
But what is not.’(1.3.9)

As soon as the three witches foretell that Macbeth will be king, his view turns to murder, which the sisters have said nothing in relation to. The witches’ prophecy awakens inside Macbeth a murderous ambition that was there all along.

Leading onto the next theme, the supernatural. The supernatural occurs four times during the play of Macbeth. It occurs in all the appearances of the three witches, in the visions of their prophecies, in the arrival of Banquo’s ghost and in the floating dagger scene. The most important supernatural evident was the three witches, who lead Macbeth to evil ambition.

Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches 
First Witch 
When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch 
When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won.
Third Witch 
That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch 
Where the place?
Second Witch 
Upon the heath.
Third Witch 
There to meet with Macbeth.
First Witch 
I come, Graymalkin!
Second Witch 
Paddock calls.
Third Witch 
Anon.
ALL 
Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air. (1.1.1)

The three witches first appearance at the start of the play is certainly dramatic and opens up plenty of questions. For starters, who are they? And what do the want with Macbeth? These witches are certainly ambiguous and confusing.

The arrival of Banquo's ghost provides looming information about Macbeth's character. It shows the level that Macbeth's mind has dug in to. When Macbeth sees the ghost, he reacts with horror and scares and upsets his guests. This shows the turning point of Macbeth when he realises what he has done wrong.