Ambition can be a great thing if used wisely. In Shakespearean times, ambition was seen to be wrong, as it went against the natural order. Macbeth is an individual who possesses the potential for greatness; however he suffers from a flaw, "vaulting ambition". The realization of this ambition pushes him into cycles of moral degeneration. In the end, he must pay for his sins - with his life. We see this throughout the play in many different situations. .
Macbeth is a great and loyal man to his country yet his ambition is strong. When he first visits the Three Sisters after the battle has been won he and Banquo are given three prophecies each. These prophecies tell Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glammis and eventually King of Scotland. Macbeth is very pleased to hear this and becomes increasingly vain. Banquo, Macbeth's closest firend, tries to warn Macbeth that the witches are not to be trusted. We are soon also shown Macbeth's ambition again when he finds out that Malcolm will be heir to the throne. It is here that Macbeth first thinks about killing Duncan in order to have the throne himself. Macbeth thinks that when Duncan is out of the way he will be successor. Although tempted Macbeth decides against his first thoughts of murder. However, later he allows his wife to manipulate him and change his mind. Macbeth thinks about what it would be like to be king and eventually agrees to commit the murder. Macbeth is a man full of ambition and begins to lose his morality.
Macbeth realizes his ambition and his moral degeneration begins. It starts when Macbeth is standing outside Duncan's room and he begins to hallucinate. Macbeth visualizes a dagger floating in the air covered in blood. This bloody dagger encourages him and he murders Duncan. Now Duncan is murdered and small crowd gathers outside his room. Macbeth runs into the chamber and immediately kills the guards giving us another example of his moral decline.