The Theme of Ambition in Macbeth Ambition is one of the central themes in William Shakespeare's tragic play, Macbeth. Through the character of Macbeth, Shakespeare explores the corrupting power of unchecked ambition and its destructive consequences. The play vividly portrays how ambition, when coupled with moral weakness and the influence of external forces, can lead to one's downfall. The Seed of Ambition From the very beginning of the play, Macbeth is depicted as a brave and loyal soldier, admired for his valor in battle. However, the seeds of ambition are planted in his mind by the three witches, whose prophecy suggests that he will become the king of Scotland. This supernatural element acts as a catalyst, sparking Macbeth's latent ambition …show more content…
Her unyielding determination and ruthless pursuit of power drive Macbeth to take drastic action. She questions his manhood and courage, manipulating him to fulfill the prophecy by murdering King Duncan. Lady Macbeth's ambition is even more unbridled than Macbeth's, as she expresses her willingness to sacrifice her morality and humanity for the sake of power. Her famous soliloquy, in which she calls upon the spirits to "unsex me here," reveals her desire to cast off any feminine weakness and embrace cruelty to achieve her goals. The Corruption of Macbeth As Macbeth succumbs to his ambition, his character undergoes a significant transformation. The murder of Duncan marks the beginning of his moral decay. Initially, Macbeth is plagued by guilt and paranoia, symbolized by his hallucinations of a blood-stained dagger and the ghost of Banquo. However, as he becomes more entrenched in his quest for power, his conscience dulls, and he resorts to further violence and tyranny to secure his position. Ambition drives Macbeth to commit a series of heinous acts, each more ruthless than the last, ultimately leading to his isolation and