Unchecked Ambition in 'Macbeth' and 'The Last King of Scotland' Hao Ta 11th Grade

Hao 11F William Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’ and Kevin Macdonald’s film ‘The Last King of Scotland’ both highlight the destructive nature of ambition when it is not guided by its moral constraints. Both the play and film demonstrate that making decisions based off a person’s desire will only bring consequences and there will never be a positive outcome. Shakespeare condemns those who obtains power through unlawful means, similarly Macdonald supports the perception that power stolen from its rightful owner is only temporary as going against your morals for desires will only result in the downfall yourself. Shakespeare however suggest that one can redeem themselves by paying for your sin through death, while Macdonald paint a less superstitious outcome of strong willed individuals who attempt to turn their lives around through the redemption of their wrong doings.

Shakespeare and Macdonald both illustrate the vicious nature of unconstrained desires through the downfall of those that consciously throw away their morals in order to advance their position. Both texts depicts ambition as sweetly tempting and that succumbing to temptation is only natural for individuals that desire power. Lady Macbeth is portrayed as cruel and...