以麦克白为案例关于野心是否重要的探讨

Ambition is Vital野心是至关重要的

From a respected gentleman to an abhorred tyrant, lastly falling to be a defeated public enemy, Macbeth, like a comet which pursues momentary glory but burns itself out, gets the throne at the cost of murdering his own conscience and honor.
从一个受人尊敬的绅士到被人憎恶的暴君，最后下降到一个被人们击败的公敌，“麦克白”，像一颗彗星，追求一时的荣耀，为了得到王位，丧失了自己的良心，并以自己的荣耀为代价，最终毁了自己。
Although there are two external factors that stimulate Macbeth’s ambition to gain the throne, the witches’ prophecy and Lady Macbeth’s encouragement, external factors only can play roles through internal factors. If Macbeth did not have ambition, those temptations and abetment could not work. 如果“麦克白”没有野心，这些诱惑和教唆都无法发挥作用。

There is no denying the fact that the prophecy from the three witches, to a large extent, swells Macbeth’s desire for unparalleled power. However, the prophecy just ignites Macbeth’s ambition and pushes him to act on his desire with impunity. Through the contrast with Banquo, one can tell that the prophecy only can exercise influence on the person who has ambition to begin with. Macbeth’s ambition already exists before he hears the prophecy from the witches. When Macbeth and Banquo first meet the Three Witches, the witches predict that Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor, and after that, the King (1.3.49-51) and Banquo’s descendants will be kings (1.3.68). Macbeth’s reaction is not to rebut the witches’ foretelling which sounds ridiculous, but rather to ask the witches to tell him more about the basis of the prophecy (1.3.71-78). Macbeth’s attitudes show that he is interested in the prophecy about the kingship. If Macbeth does not have ambition, he may think in a reasonable way as Banquo does. Banquo restores his reason quickly and suspects that they have “eaten on the insane root/ That takes the reason prisoner” (1.3.85-86). Towards the tempting prediction, Macbeth thinks that “Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor! /The greatness is behind.”(1.4.117-118), while what Banquo thinks is the prophecy is the instrument of darkness to enkindle people to “deepest consequence” (1.4.123-129). Since messengers confirm what the witches foretell, that Macbeth becomes the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth’s desire for kingship is triggered: “Two truths are told/As happy prologues to the swelling act/ Of th’imperial theme” (1.3.30-32). In contrast, Banquo’s allegiance always prevails towards the prophecy about possible greatness. When Macbeth tries to talk to him about the witches’ prophecy, Banquo says:与“麦克白”女巫的预言相比之下，班柯的忠诚总是要优于那些伟大的预言。 

So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counseled (2.1.27-30)

Here, the “none” refers to the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s offspring will be kings, which shows that what Banquo will get is even greater and much happier than what Macbeth will get (1.3.66-68). Since Banquo does not have the desire for power, he does not have much interest in the foretelling; instead, he tends to abide by his duty in serving the King.

Also, it is undeniable that Lady Macbeth plays the most influential role in the development of the Macbeth’s ambition, since she propels Macbeth’s ambition, and finally urges Macbeth to convert his ambition to deed. Nevertheless, it should be noticed that she could exert tremendous influence on Macbeth because she knows Macbeth does have ambition and he would fulfill his ambition if he can overcome what she sees as “defects”: http://www.ukassignment.org/uklunwen/

It[Macbeth’s nature] is too full o' the milk of human kindnessTo catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;Art not without ambition, but withoutThe illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false (1.5.15-19)

Lady Macbeth’s monologue verifies that Macbeth does pretend to the throne. He could not muster up his courage to do so because of his personality: his lack of evil. What Lady Macbeth does is impelling him to overcome his defects through words (1.5.20-27). What’s more, Macbeth even coverts the kingship before Lady Macbeth’s agitation. The letter Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth is convincing evidence. After Macbeth hears the prediction, he cannot wait to tell Lady Macbeth. In this letter, he writes: 

This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of the greatness

That thou mightiest not lose the dues of rejoicing by being

Ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. 

Macbeth asks Lady Macbeth to lay the promised greatness (the witches’ prediction of kingship) to her heart. It shows that Macbeth believes that his dream of kingship will eventually come true. Another piece of evidence is what Macbeth says when he hears that Duncan names his son The Prince of Cumberland: “The eye winks at the hand; yet let that be/ Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see” (1.5.53-54). So it is obvious that he wants to get to kingship after all. In another aspect, not only Lady Macbeth propels Macbeth’s determination as an evil counselor, but also Lady Macbeth’s careerism is stimulated by Macbeth, as she tells Macbeth:

Thy letters have transported me beyond 

This ignorant present, and I feel now

The future in the instant (1.5.52-54)

Her words demonstrate that it is Macbeth’s letter that makes her think that they could get the throne instantly.
她的话表明，它是“麦克白”写的信，使她认为他们可以瞬间得到宝座。