IndexIntroductionThe adventures of Macbeth: greed and betrayalConsequences of Macbeth's ambitionConclusionWorks CitedIntroduction'Do not listen to him, Duncan; for it is a bell / that calls you to heaven or hell,' exclaims Macbeth bitterly, the ringing of the bells both foreshadowing and signifying Macbeth's murderous betrayal in Macbeth. This scene was the defining moment of adventure for Macbeth, where his greed surpasses his loyalty. Following the conventions of Greek tragedy, Shakespearean protagonists have hamartia, that is, a fatal flaw that results in the tragedy of their works, such as Romeo's recklessness and Hamlet's indecision. Macbeth's hamartia is clearly his greed. He even admits this himself in his soliloquy in Act 1 scene 7, where he explains that it is only his "vaulting ambition" that drove him to kill his king to whom he was so loyal, and nothing else. Therefore, this very theme of greed continues to motivate and dictate Macbeth's behavior. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Peripeteia of Macbeth: Greed and Betrayal Shakespeare's Macbeth reflects a historical period in which greed and corruption were prevalent, with royalty resorting to violence and treachery to protect their rights. energy. More specifically, during a time of great political turmoil when Queen Elizabeth I had refused to name a successor to the throne until shortly before her death. Shakespeare highlights this through Macbeth's gruesome and murderous acts as his greed surpasses his morals, represented when he kills Banquo by hiring two assassins and inviting him to a party. He even orders his son Fleance killed. What can we take away from this? While politicians in our society do not kill each other for power as 16th century royalty might have done, the greed and corruption within Macbeth can be demonstrated through them as well. Therefore, Shakespeare is trying to convey that it is human nature to succumb to temptation and greed. Why is the topic of greed relevant to us? We may not be aware of it, but humans are naturally greedy. Politicians are a clear example of this as they share a strong desire for power and wealth. Their decisions are often motivated by greed rather than what is ultimately best for the majority. The recent record-breaking bushfires in Australia underline this as these fires are the result of climate change, a globally recognized problem that politicians avoid. So why do they avoid climate change? The answer is simply greed. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions would require reducing coal production which, consequently, would have a negative impact on the economy which relies primarily on the export of natural resources. Using coal to produce energy is also much cheaper than other forms of renewable energy. Australian politicians even shift the blame away from climate change to protect themselves. Overall, they are unwilling to sacrifice economic gain for social and environmental causes, displaying pure greed. Consequences of Macbeth's ambition What else can we say Macbeth wanted? Macbeth may have wanted to assert himself in the story. However, his "vaulting ambition" eventually led him to poverty and ruin as he was never satisfied, not even when he became king. Macbeth's preoccupation with the throne created a distorted view of reality as he was unable to experience the lavish life of a king, but instead had to struggle, 2011.