Macbeth Main Idea: Ambition & Power

From the beginning of the book, our class has analyzed Macbeth for certain main ideas or theme. These defined the main characters and plot of the story and one of the most important is the affect that ambition has on people and how power that is acquired through the ambition is received. In the first Act, we are introduced to King Duncan who has received power with grace and strength. We also meet Macbeth who enough power and influence to satisfy any man... until he is told he could have more by the witches. His ambition and want for this power continues to grow within him and then, is spurred along by Lady Macbeth. He driven to kill the great King and then kill anyone who threatens his rule.

The ambition for power and dominance drove him to become king in a most unsavory manner. The power then corrupted him and basically caused him and his wife to go insane. He is killed by those he once called friends. They killed him because his insanity and power transformed him into a monster. This monster is the focus of the book making his ambition and power a theme or main idea of the story. Ambition and power can cause both great and terrible events to occur and this tragedy tends to favor the latter.