How far do you think that Macbeth's and Lady Macbeth's ambition near the beginning of the play brings them the rewards they wish for, later in the play? You should refer closely to the words and actions of both characters.
             Macbeth and his wife are portrayed as cunning and ambitious characters at the beginning of the play, and their ambition allows them to achieve their primary goal of becoming King and Queen. However, we see that it is this ambition that leads to their downfall later in the play, when they realise that wearing 'borrow'd robes' is not as rewarding as they had expected.
             Macbeth's ambitious character is evident very early in the play – the fact that he 'starts' on hearing the Witches' prophecies suggests a sense of guilt, as if he has contemplated becoming King before the idea was voiced by the Witches. He is keen to hear more of this 'strange intelligence', so it is possible that Macbeth's ambition was not instigated by the Witches, but was present in his mind prior to the meeting on the heath. However, while he is fascinated at the prospect of becoming King, he believes he lacks the courage to murder Duncan to gain the crown – the thought of it is enough to 'unfix my hair' and 'make my seated heart knock at my ribs'.
             Lady Macbeth's first appearance on stage portrays her deviousness and ambition. Macbeth writes only to inform her of his meeting with the Witches - in no way does it suggest murder, yet she immediately assumes it is necessary. She calls on the spirits to 'unsex' her, so that she is incapable of feeling guilt or any other 'womanly' feelings, but only 'direst cruelty' and great ambition, through which she must 'chastise' Macbeth's doubts out of him.
             Lady Macbeth herself knows how ambitious Macbeth is: 'Thou wouldst be great', yet she fears t...