“Vaulting ambition” – Ambition can lead to ruin. Metaphor shows it is out of control. “Stars, hide your fires” – Macbeth wants to hide his dark desires; light vs dark imagery shows secrecy. “Screw your courage to the sticking-place” – Lady Macbeth tells him to commit fully; metaphor shows control and determination. “Only vaulting ambition” – Ambition is his only reason to act; metaphor shows drive overrides morality. “The greatest is behind” – Witches spark his ambition to be king; dramatic irony builds tension. “To be safely thus” – Being king isn’t enough, he wants security; repetition shows obsession and anxiety. “King, Cawdor, Glamis, all” – Lady Macbeth notes their ambition succeeded; listing shows completeness and tension. “For mine own good” – He acts selfishly because of ambition; absolutism shows morality is gone. “In blood stepped in so far” – He feels trapped by ambition and crimes; blood imagery shows guilt and consequences.