Answer: The theme of ambition present in Shakespeare's Macbeth and Hamlet.
Explanation:
Two of the four Shakespeare's great tragedies, Macbeth and Hamlet, share the same theme - ambition. There is, of course, a variety of different themes in both of the plays, but let us focus on this one.
In <em>Hamlet,</em> Claudius is ambitious to become a king, which motivates him to assassinate his brother (Hamlet's father). Claudius also marries his late brother's wife, which means that the murder does not stop him from becoming even more powerful. Claudius' growing ambition, thus, triggers a series of events - Hamlet devises a plan to revenge his father, and the whole family dies at the end of the play.
In <em>Macbeth</em>, we have many ambitious characters, but the most obvious example is Macbeth himself. Macbeth's desire to become a king upon hearing the witches' prophecy leads to him committing murder. He first kills King Duncan, then Banquo, as he also represents a threat. Macbeth's tragic flaw is exactly his driving ambition. The murders he committed make him consumed by guilt, and he tragically dies. Therefore, both of the plays explore ambition and its consequences.
