Timothy Leary once said, "Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition" (Peters 175). But is this true in the case of the classic play Macbeth? In Macbeth it seems to be, that Macbeth the protagonist of the play is influence by Lady Macbeth’s ambition. Could this be an exception or was Lady Macbeth lying when she ask to be equal to a man so she could commit the murder (1.5.33.45-61). To understand one must look deeply into the plot and many themes of Macbeth. William Shakespeare uses ambition among other things to imply may different ideas. Thus, Macbeth's downfall is a direct cause of Lady Macbeth's goading and ambition. In the beginning of Macbeth, Macbeth is a well respected and loyal Thane of Glamis. He shows no sign of the murderous and ambitious Macbeth later to come; "We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late" (1.7.41.34-35). Macbeth, becomes Thane of Cawdor, and the reader now see the loyalty of Macbeth disappear. He is now become self-centered and power hungry. The final transformation occurs, "Macbeth a basically good man who is troubled by his conscience and loyalty though at the same time ambitious and murderous," toward the middle of the play (Rahim 1).Macbeth like many has several flaws. These flaws cause Macbeth to be influence by Lady Macbeth. The first is that Macbeth is power hungry, once Lady Macbeth gives him her ambitions he becomes crazed with power. He stops at nothing to meet his goals, "After Fleance's escape, Macbeth's fear and suspicions fall upon Macduff, whose wife and children he has murdered...." (Campbell 485). Macbeth's second flaw is his most tragic flaw and it is that he can't think for himself. This is most evident before Duncan's murder. At times Macbeth is not wanting to talk about the murder. Then, he has already implemented a plan to kill the king. But, his troubles to think for himself is still very evident after the murder, "Look on't again I dare not"...
