By Saihej Grewal

Individuals are always driven by ambition, from a young age we have ambition and desires of power that we dream about receiving but few times do we obtain them. The ambition for power is dangerous because it can make people power hungry and there’s no stopping the lengths at which they will go for it. In our lives we see power as something that requires responsibility and some people are not fit to have that power. As Sir John Dalberg said “ absolute power corrupts absolutely” and for many who obtain power this is true. In the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth receives prophecies telling him he will become king driving his ambition towards obtaining the crown. In Macbeth, Shakespeare suggests that ambition towards the desire to gain power will corrupt one’s morals creating an isolation from their relationships.

When individuals have the ambition for power they may attempt to pursue their ambition by any means necessary leading to the corruption of their morals. Macbeth’s ambition for power is sparked when the witches prophesied that he will be king. At first Macbeth is hopeful that Duncan will crown him king for his conduct in battle but is deeply disappointed when he isn’t. Macbeth’s ambition causes him to feel betrayed by Duncan even though no promises were made that he would be king by Duncan. Macbeth’s ambition turns into obsession and he is willing to do anything to be king. His ambition drives him to kill Duncan to be king even though Duncan greatly respected and loved Macbeth. This just shows that Macbeth’s ambition resulted in Duncan’s death and in him losing a great support. Macbeth no longer values morals and relationships his ambition has resulted in him valuing power over anything else. Ambition also destroyed Duncan and Macbeth’s relationship because Duncan actually trusted Macbeth and Macbeth betrayed him. Ambition is the cause of Macbeth’s downfall.

As the individual gains the power that they seek, the corruption of their morals will not end and they will push all those close to them away. Macbeth, now named the king has not satisfied his ambition and is still determined to hold onto his power. Banquo is Macbeth’s best friend however Macbeth is worried that his son’s will acquire the crown and that Macbeth becoming king will be for nothing. Macbeth’s ambition to have his own heirs inherit the crown causes him to have Banquo killed. His ambition has caused him to lose his bestfriend and he values his own ambition over the life of his best friend. This ambition also turns him into a tyrannical leader that people no longer respect or even like. People are beginning to suspect that Macbeth is the one who murdered Banquo and Duncan which results in people turning against him and ultimately to war. Ambition has caused a rift in all of Macbeth’s relationships and it’s the only thing he has left to cling onto. 

An individual’s ambition may drive other people as well and change their relationship dynamic. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s ambitions are the same in the beginning for him to be king. Lady Macbeth’s ambition was actually stronger in the beginning but started to wane after whereas Macbeth’s ambition only grew. This had a profound effect on their relationship and ultimately led to Lady Macbeth’s death. Lady Macbeth’s ambition to see her husband as king led her to abandon her morals and for her to lose her peace of mind. After Duncan’s death she is haunted by her and Macbeth’s actions and the guilt causes her condition to deteriorate. Macbeth is so busy with his own ambitions that he does not notice her deterioration and Lady Macbeth soon starts to fear his ambition. This causes a breakdown in their relationship because Macbeth’s overzealous ambition has caused him to isolate himself from everyone, even his own wife. It also makes him indifferent to his wife’s death because he is too busy chasing his ambition. Ambition is nothing if it cannot be shared and drives away all the people you care about.

Shakespeare demonstrates the dangers of ambition and how gaining power will cause isolation and the corruption of morals in Macbeth. Ambition caused Macbeth to lose three of the most important and impactful people in his life. Macbeth lost Lady Macbeth, Duncan, and Banquo because of his own ambition and going to whatever lengths to gain and maintain his power. He also loses his morals to ambition and is left not being able to cope with his actions or the losses of the people closest to him. Ambition caused Macbeth to lose his humanity which is defined by morals and having people you care about.