Ambition plays a significant role in everyday life, as it can influence our decisions and actions. William Shakespeare's Macbeth demonstrates this concept perfectly. Macbeth's overwhelming desire for power overrides his ability to implement moral boundaries, which in turn develops the theme of ambition and how this can lead an individual to death. This is demonstrated by Macbeth's irrational actions, his deception of others, and his growing pride and independence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay First, Macbeth's desire for power influences him to such an extent that it drives him to perform irrational actions. This is exemplified by Macbeth's act of killing Duncan. Moments before entering Duncan's bedroom, Macbeth says, “listen not to my steps, which way they walk, for fear / Thy very stones speak where I stand. / And take the current horror of that time. / While I threaten him, he survives. /. Macbeth's desire to become king pushes him beyond acceptable moral limits to kill Duncan. Ambition overrides all other senses, leading Macbeth to make this irrational decision. Secondly, Macbeth once again demonstrates irrational action through plans to kill Banquo. He knows that Banquo is growing suspicious of him for killing Duncan and so as he speaks to Lady Macbeth, he turns aside and says, "come see the night, / Cover the tender eye of the pitiful day, / And with your bloody and invisible hand, / Erase and tear to pieces that great bond / That makes me pale /. Macbeth's growing ambition for power leads him to this irrational act without a second thought Macbeth suggests how ambition is starting to cause negative effects on him. Finally, another example of irrational action is when Macbeth's frustration with Macduff's escape to England leads him to kill Macduff's family while he is at home. inside the witches' cave with Lennox, Macbeth turns aside and says “The first born of my heart will be / The first born of my hand /. This action suggests the turning point in Macbeth's ambition as well as his end. Get over completely any other sense of moral boundaries, leading him to act simply out of fear and revenge. Secondly, Macbeth's deception of others demonstrates the degree to which he is willing to satisfy his desire for power. For example, Macbeth begins to deceive Duncan by using their close relationship to keep him in the dark about anything Macbeth would do. While speaking to Macbeth at the feast, Duncan exclaims how “he is so valiant, / And in his praises I am nourished; / Let's chase him. / Whose care went before, to welcome us: / He is a matchless kinsman.” Macbeth acts so deceitfully that Duncan is unaware of anything he is up to, which further supports how Macbeth's ambition clouds his judgment and allows him to overstep society's moral boundaries for his gain in power. Secondly, to ensure that Duncan's murder is not traced back to him, Macbeth deceives everyone by framing Duncan's chamberlains. While speaking to the others after discovering Duncan's body, Macbeth explains “oh, yet I regret my fury, / To have slain them /”. Having already killed Duncan, Macbeth's ambition for power erases any thoughts of doubt, which leads him to kill the servants. This action suggests that he does so out of fear of being found out, which shows how ambition has a negative effect on him. Remember: this is just an example. Get a document now.