Comparing Macbeth 'And The Talented Mr. Ripley'

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Recommended: Macbeth and his murders

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, the theme ambition is displayed in both Tom and Macbeth. Due to their driving behaviour, it results in murder, deception and dishonour.
Macbeth and Tom's reckless decisions derive from their thirst to become successful which then compels them to resolve to murder. Tom kills Dickie in order to inherit his family’s wealth and Dickie’s identity. When Dickie’s friend Freddie becomes skeptical he pummels him to death as well. This is very similar to the play as Macbeth kills the humble king to retrieve the crown, but then continued to assassinate his partner, Banquo. Both characters believed that in order to satisfy their ambitious desires, they needed to murder their “obstacles”.

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