“Men rise from one ambition to another: first they seek to protect themselves against attacks, then they attack others » – Niccolo Machiavelli Ambition can push people to do spectacular things. It can also cause people to perform very narcissistic actions. It all depends on the intention and the value of the act. In William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, written in 1606, the conflict is clearly driven by the ambitious ambition of the determined protagonist, Macbeth. When ambition begins to consume an individual, relationships deteriorate and conflicts arise. At the time the play was written, the people of England were interested in the supernatural, and primarily in King James I, the ruler of the time. The supernatural influences within the play drive the plot forward, creating a whole new realm of conflicting ideas and character personalities clashing against each other. The direct physical conflict between the characters throughout the play is very apparent due to the outcome of the quarrels, often fatal. Every struggle is accompanied by an internalized battle in the character's head, resulting in internal conflict. Conflict is inevitable in drama and plays a major role in this Jacobean era play. Supernatural forces are like no other. These exclusive abilities can trigger a chain effect of disaster, tragedy, and pathos. Most of the conflicts within Macbeth can be traced back to the actions of the witches. When the witches pass the prophecies to Macbeth, they trigger in him a thirst for exaltation, sending him on a journey in which he will never waver until all who stand in his way are eliminated. When Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor, Banquo is disconcerted. He exclaims allowed, "what, can the devil speak middle of paper...... nce, who would be able to see this character weakening, as Macbeth only sees himself as becoming stronger on the to It is those who cannot obtain power through greatness who decide to take it by force. If cruelty arises from ambitious thinking, it is inevitable that conflicts will develop along the way. show no mercy will get what they desire However, this approach to exaltation will only lift them higher in preparation for a harder fall. Those who take the time and slowly climb the tree towards. success will ultimately be rewarded with the nobility they sought in the first place An empty fall is guaranteed to him who snatches his success from the hands of the unsuspecting “Once for every person and every nation comes the time. to decide. In the conflict between truth and lies, for good or evil. –James Russell Lowell