Malcolm's Motivation In Macbeth

Both Macbeth and Jack seek to rise to power over their respective states, and in doing so each pushes away others in pursuit of their own goals. In Macbeth, after learning of his fate via the Weïrd Sisters, Macbeth develops an ambition to seize power in Scotland; he proceeds to remove anyone in his path to the throne, including killing his cousin, King Duncan. However, when Duncan’s eldest son, Malcolm, is proclaimed Duncan’s successor, Macbeth recognizes Malcolm as an obstruction in his pursuit of power, saying, “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/On which I must fall down or else o’erleap,/For in my way it lies” (Shakespeare 1.4.55-57). Because Malcolm, not Macbeth, is Duncan’s successor, Macbeth describes Malcolm as a literal obstacle, saying that he will either “fall” over Malcolm or “o’erleap” the problem.

The play entitled Macbeth by William Shakespeare portrays Macbeth, a loyal and brave thane to the king. When a prophecy reveals he will become king, Macbeth is overcome with ambition and greed. Convinced of this prophecy and the encouragement from his wife, he is able to kill the king and take the throne. Although Macbeth was able to obtain the throne, he was was overwhelmed by power and guilt leading to internal conflict, which suggests that success is not desirable through cheating and corruption and ultimately cost more than its actually worth, Macbeth`s reckless pursuit of killing and becoming the king is representative of the power he has and what he is able to do with the power he's gained; therefore. His relentless ambition for king reveals the guilt behind power.

Although many believe Malcom will not fix the mess made by Macbeth in the castle, Malcolm 's great actions and words displayed himself as a great leader, suited to be king. Malcolm’s first actions to help further the kingdom of Scotland appears in the middle of the story. Malcolm’s actions displaying great leadership is shown when King Duncan dies. His words to his brother shows how warlike intelligence he is “What will you do?

However, since Macbeth is king of all the land opposing him would be treason. Yet Malcolm continues with his plan and forms an army that goes to attack Macbeth. Macduff ends up killing Macbeth himself. Moreover, Malcolm takes the throne for himself. Power and authority shifts once again.

His agnorsis could be said to occur earlier, when he becomes aware of Lady Macbeths death. His understated reaction oculd indicate his complete exhaustion and defeat together with involuntary awareness and his commentss that life is nothing more than a "tale,told by an idiot signifying nothing." In the end of the play natural order and control is restored as Macbeth is killed and Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne according to succession and order, is crowned king of Scotland. Shakespeare successfully warns and scares the audience against thinking about

Thus, he's the one making the final decision of his course of action. As stated in Document A, Macbeth aside expresses, “The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step/ On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,/ For in my way it lies.” This reveals Macbeth's true intention, showing that he sees Malcolm as an obstacle and has the choice of eliminating his obstacles to achieve the position of King.

Macbeth’s thoroughly corrupt actions in the play force Malcolm and Donalbain, and Fleance to flee Scotland. Malcolm and Donalbain both flee Scotland after their father, King Duncan, is murdered. Malcolm flees to England and Donalbain flees to Ireland, because they do not feel like they are safe in Scotland anymore. Shakespeare writes, “there’s daggers in men’s smiles; the near in blood, the nearer bloody” (II.iv.135-136). Malcolm and Donalbain feel that they cannot trust anyone in the castle because someone in the castle is guilty.

However, his ambition also did play its role in the whole act. His ambition to be the King of Scotland was born when he became Thane of Cawdor and thereafter started dreaming of being the King of Scotland. “They met me in the day of success; and I have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further”. This statement echoed the intensity of Macbeth’s greed and ambition beyond the peak of a mountain.

When Macduff arrives in England to ask Malcolm for assistance on war with Macbeth, Malcolm explains, “What [he] believe, [he’ll] wail; What know, believe, and what [he] can redress, As [he] shall find the time to friend [he] will” (Shakespeare 4.3.10-12). Malcolm expressed his passion for his country and his ability to stay true to what he believes in. This conducts the first sign of courage established by Malcolm in the entire play; testing Macduff’s loyalty to gain knowledge on his true intentions. Malcolm does not follow in his father’s footsteps to prevent the same fate upon him, revealing a new virtuous side of the character. This quote proves he will do anything to right what is wrong in the kingdom, which indicates not only character development but bravery as well, especially when he joins his army to fight against Macbeth in war.

Macbeth is a tyrant during his rule, manipulating the minds of the people and using murders to clear out anyone that stood in his way, so that he can stay in power. Malcolm worries about the state of Scotland as he exclaims, “I think our country sinks beneath the yoke./ It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds. I think withal…” (Shakespeare 4.3.49-51). Malcolm notices the true state of Scotland under the rule of Macbeth, as he has forcefully gained his

“If good, why do I yield to that suggestion[killing Duncan]/Whose horrid image doth unify my hair” (I, III, 144-145). This quote indicates that the force of ambition is so strong within Macbeth that even he himself cannot understand why it is making him think of killing Duncan. Likewise, Macbeth’s ambition to become king is further emphasized after Duncan names his son Malcolm as his successor. Here, Macbeth says that he will have to “oerleap,/For in my way it [Malcolm] it lies” (I, III, 55-57).

Motivation to attain goals plays an important role in an individual’s life. It is instinctive to put effort for the accomplishment of one’s target. If an individual put genuine effort and enough motivation to fulfill one's objectives, it will result in success. Nonetheless, the urge to fulfill one's goal keeps individual to focus on its mission until it has been achieved. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, the character of Macbeth uses motivation in order to achieve his ambition of becoming the King of Scotland.

Many people gain fulfillment through hard work and persistence. This is how Macbeth was at the beginning of the story. He was a brave warrior who was known and even honored by the king. Unfortunately, Macbeth’s ambition takes control and he decides that he wants more power no matter what it takes to get

However, it is all according to the prophecy, so it holds as fair. What would be a fair act to bring in the heir to the throne transitions from a positive connotation to one that is foul, and therefore a paradox blooms with these events. Malcolm, son of King Duncan, later reveals that he wants to kill Macbeth because of the many that he has killed in his path to claim the throne.

Another William Shakespeare classic, Macbeth, also tells the story of a warrior whose motives were driven by jealousy. Macbeth was the greatest warrior in Scotland and most deserving of being next in line to be king, although King Duncan praises Macbeth, he chose to keep the crown in the family, "Our eldest, Malcolm, who we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland" (I.iv.39). Macbeth had previously received prophecies from three witches which had proven to be true up to that point, the prophecies included being king. So not being selected caught him off guard and he began to envy and grow jealous of Malcolm "Stars hide your fires; Let not light see my black and dark desires" (I.iv.53).