Ambition is a characteristic that lives inside of all individuals. People either have a thriving ambition or a lack of ambition. However, anywhere in between is not possible. Readers of Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece Macbeth are exposed to the awakened and unstoppable ambition of a respected military general turned king, Macbeth. The theme of ambition in Macbeth can be very deceiving. Although Macbeth's ambition is what made him King of Scotland and brought him to power, it also takes the blame for his downfall. This is because when ambition is an end in itself, it can run out of control. Limitless ambition is the human flaw that is present throughout the entire play.

Had Macbeth not been so obsessed with becoming King and keeping his position, he would not have continued to kill innocent people. It was these killings and his over confident attitude that caused Macbeth to be...