Ambition plays an important role in daily life because it can affect our decisions and actions. Macbeth by William Shakespeare demonstrates this concept perfectly. Macbeth's overwhelming desire for power overrides his ability to understand moral boundaries, which in turn develops the theme of ambition and how it can lead an individual to their demise. This is manifested through Macbeth's irrational actions, his deception towards others as well as his development of pride and independence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay First, Macbeth's desire for power influences him to such an extent that he takes irrational actions. This is illustrated by the act of Macbeth killing Duncan. Moments before entering Duncan's sleeping quarters, Macbeth says, "Hear not my steps, which way they walk, lest / Your very stones tell where I am." / And take the current horror of the times. / While I threaten, he lives. /. Macbeth's desire to become king pushes him beyond acceptable moral boundaries to kill Duncan. Ambition overrides all other senses, leading Macbeth to make this irrational decision. Second, Macbeth once again demonstrates his irrational action by planning to murder Banquo. He knows that Banquo is growing more and more suspicious of him for the murder of Duncan and so, while speaking to Lady Macbeth, he turns away and says: "Come and see the night, / Scare away the tender eye from the pitiful day, / And with your bloody and invisible hand, / Cancel and tear this great bond / Which makes me pale! /. Macbeth's growing ambition for power leads him to this irrational act without a second thought. Macbeth's new constant paranoia suggests the extent to which ambition is beginning to have negative effects on him. Finally, another example of irrational action is when Macbeth's frustration with Macduff's escape to England leads him to murder Macduff's family. While inside the witches' cave with Lennox, Macbeth turns away and says, "The very firstborn of my heart shall be / The firstborn of my hand /." This action suggests the turning point in Macbeth's ambition as well as his demise. This completely overrides any other sense of moral boundaries, leading him to act simply out of fear and revenge. Second, Macbeth's deception of others demonstrates how far he is willing to go to satisfy his desire for power. For example, Macbeth begins to deceive Duncan by using their close relationship to keep him ignorant of anything Macbeth would do. While speaking with Macbeth at the feast, Duncan exclaims how “he is so valiant, / And in his praise I am nourished; / Let's pursue it. / Whose care has gone before, to welcome us: / He is a parent without equal.” Macbeth acts in such a deceptive way that Duncan is unaware of everything he is plotting, further supporting how Macbeth's ambition clouds his judgment and allows him to cross the moral boundaries of society to gain power. Second, to ensure that Duncan's murder is not attributed to him, Macbeth deceives everyone by blaming Duncan's chamberlains. While chatting with the others after discovering Duncan's body, Macbeth explains "oh, yet I repent of my fury, /To have slain them/". Having already killed Duncan, Macbeth's ambition for power erases all thoughts of doubt, leading him to kill the servants. This action suggests that he is doing it out of fear of being caught, which demonstrates how ambition has a negative effect on him. Keep in mind: this is just a sample..