character
Macbeth
The Scottish lord whose ambition consumes him and his wife.
Origin
Three witches prophesy that Macbeth will be king. With his wife's prodding, he murders the king, then keeps killing to cover his tracks. He goes mad with paranoia; she goes mad with guilt. Both die.
Modern usage
The archetype of unchecked ambition and the cost of seizing power. 'A Macbeth situation' = blood-soaked political climb.
Tags
ambition
guilt
tragedy