A play that I have studied which explores the important theme of ambition is Macbeth, a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The Thane of Glamis receives prophecies from three witches, which Macbeth tells. However, the king must be killed for these prophecies to be fulfilled. Shakespeare uses characterisation and soliloquies to help us understand this theme. We are shown how ambition affects Scotland as a whole – we see how Shakespeare demonstrates how this can deeply affect characters and relationships between both couples and friends. Shakespeare’s use of characterisation helps underpin the theme of ambition. Throughout the play, we see Macbeth’s character and personality change. We see Macbeth at the start of the play as a worthy and honourable man, but he changes to a very …show more content…
Macbeth has a strong relationship with his wife at the beginning of the play, “my dearest partner of greatness” demonstrates this. Their relationship is very strong and loving, but at the same time they are clearly an ambitious couple. Lady Macbeth is anxious following the murder of Duncan, carried out by her husband. “It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman. I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry”, which suggests the signs of anxiety. It also demonstrates how uneasy she is about the murder, and the sounds she is hearing are the inauspicious signs of punishment and death. Their relationship reaches a turning point when Lady Macbeth says, “My hands are of your colour, but I shame, To wear a heart so white” – Lady Macbeth is criticising her husband’s lack of manliness and composure. Prior to the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is a very affectionate and caring husband; however, towards the end of the play he transfigures into a tyrant, showing no sorrow, misery or emotion for her death, even though Macbeth is more than aware that she’d become a childish, yet ambitious