Ambition

Ambition is the driving force behind Macbeth’s rise and downfall. His desire for power is initially sparked by the witches’ prophecy, but it is his own ruthless ambition that pushes him to murder Duncan. Unlike Banquo, who also receives a prophecy but does not act unethically, Macbeth allows his ambition to override his morality.

The play ultimately warns about the dangers of unchecked ambition. Macbeth’s ambition leads him to tyranny, paranoia, and death, showing that the pursuit of power without morality leads to self-destruction.