The Dominant Theme of Ambition in Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Weakness is often described as a lack of strength, power, or ambition. However, there are rare cases where a weakness can instead be an abundance of these qualities that ends up becoming adverse. In the Greek play, Oedipus, by Sophocles, Oedipus has a superfluous buildup of willpower and might that cultivates three major flaws in his character. Despite his attributes and qualifications that secured him his title as King of Thebes, Oedipus’s absence of rationality, his impetuosity, and his egotistical behavior end up bringing about his abject fate.
Oedipus shares a trait with many tyrannical rulers: a deep sense of irrationality. After taking it upon himself to find Laius’s murderer, he becomes desperate. His desperation to know the truth about his situation leads to paranoia and anger. He becomes blind to the truth and only sees what he wants to see. This is evidenced when Oedipus is accusing Creon of the murder. Creon defends himself seamlessly, explaining, “Consider, first, if you think any one/would choose to rule and fear rather than rule/and sleep untroubled by a fear if power/were equal in both cases. I, at least,/I was not born with such a frantic yearning/to be a king-but to do what kings do” (I.655-660). Regardless of Creon’s justification, Oedipus is still adamant on having him killed. His status combined with his unreasonable obstinacy threatens the lives of the innocent people around him. This same issue occurs again during Oedipus’s debate with Teiresias. Oedipus calls upon the prophet, Teiresias, to give a prophecy and to save the city. Teiresias refrains from telling Oedipus that he, himself, is Laius’s murderer, but Oedipus vehemently demands that the prophet reveals the truth. When Teiresias tells Oedipus that he...

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...86). Oedipus’s pride prevents him from seeing any flaws in own character, so he would accuse a physically blind man of murder before himself. Ignoring all advice and signs around him, Oedipus believes he is perfect and nothing can go beyond his control; consequently, he meets his demise never knowing what he did wrong.
Throughout the play, Oedipus is doomed because of his three central weaknesses. His lack of reason forces him to draw irrational conclusions that stray him away from the truth. His recklessness causes him to make spontaneous decisions that hurt him in the future. Lastly, Oedipus’s haughtiness prevents him from accepting counsel from anyone who attempts to aid him. These three weaknesses could have turned into strengths had he reformed his temperament; however, Oedipus had an abounding accretion of power and will that overflowed to his inexorable end.