"Macbeth is a play about the nature of evil rather than the nature of ambition". To what extent do you agree with this view of the play?

Shakespeare's Macbeth is a play that initially appears to be about the nature of evil. There are many monstrous and wicked acts committed in this play, such as Duncan's Murder, Lady Macbeth's rejection of her humanity and the slaughter of the Macduff household. It could be argued that Shakespeare explores the nature of these evil acts, and how they affect the characters involved. However, it could also be argued that this play is about the nature of ambition that underlies this evil. With characters such as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, it is often the nature of their aspirations and their desire to transgress beyond limitations that this play examines. Often, their evil behaviour is just a method of appeasing their ambition, rather than a theme the play explores in depth. 
   Through the aftermath of Duncan's murder, Shakespeare could be exploring the horrifying nature of evil. This pivotal moment within the play is presented as a disastrous catastrophe that should never have occurred. It is an event which leaves all the characters in a state of "o horror, horror", and even the setting of the weather appears to be "troubled with man's act". In the night following the murder, the setting is described as "dreadful and strange", which appears to reflect how appalling and abhorrent this act of regicide is. Contextually, this use of setting may reflect a Jacobean audience's response to Duncan's death. It could have been considered to be so evil in nature, and such a challenge to the natural order, that many audiences are left feeling nothing but contempt for Macbeth's crime. Thus, it could be argued that Shakespeare is exploring the horrifying and appalling nature of evil through this pivotal moment in the text. 
   However, a much greater reading suggests that this pivotal scene is actually about the corruptive nature of ambition. At the opening of the play, Macbeth is a "brave", loyal and patriotic soldier who would do anything to protect his king- he was a "sparrow eagle" who fought for his country's safety. Once the Witches tell Macbeth about his future as king, this presentation becomes subverted. Macbeth later decays into a man consumed by his "black and deep desires". His ambition to "o'erleap" Malcolm to the throne takes priority over his morality as he murders the king to satisfy his grand aspirations. Shakespeare, through Macbeth's changing characterisation, appears to be exploring the corruptive nature of ambition, rather than the nature of evil. It is this ambition that the play appears to be about, as it changes Macbeth from a "worthy gentleman" into a "devilish" murderer. 
   Nevertheless, the nature of evil appears to take a greater focus within the play through the presentation of Lady Macbeth. She is portrayed as unscrupulous and wicked when she is first introduced; her nature is filled with "gall". This is a character who shockingly defies all expectations. Rather than protect her children, she reveals that she would "dashed the brains out" of them. This cold statement may startle many audiences because the evil nature of what she is willing to do challenges all expectations for how a mother should behave. It becomes clear that this extreme and shocking character is filled with the "direst cruelty", as well as being completely callous and evil. No humanity appears to remain within her. Thus, it could be argued that Shakespeare is exploring the shocking nature of evil, and how it often challenges societal rules and expectations. However, a much stronger interpretation suggests that her presentation is not about the nature of evil; rather, it appears to explore the ruthless nature of ambition to a much greater extent. Lady Macbeth actually appears to be presented as someone who is willing to do anything to reach her goals and ambitions. Lady Macbeth is portrayed as willing to lose her femininity- "unsex me here"- and even her own humanity as she rids herself of the "compunctious visiting of nature". She seems to view her gender and humanity as set-backs that she is willing to work through in order to achieve her goal of becoming queen. Thus, it appears that Shakespeare has actually written a play about the ruthless nature of ambition, and how someone can be so determined to fulfil their aspirations that they would even "dashed the brains out" of their own child. 
   The scene in which the Macduff family are "savagely slaughtered" appears to be the scene which is most about the nature of ambition. Shakespeare presents Macbeth at his most ambitious as he seeks to defy fate itself. After being told that no man born of woman shall harm him, he boldly exclaims that he has no "need to fear thee [Macduff]". He chooses to ignore the first prophecy telling him to beware Macduff, and it could be argued that this defiance against fate is what leads to the death of the Macduff family. He interprets this "sweet bodement" as an indication that he is capable of cheating death and his fate. Whilst the deaths of the most "diminutive", "poor" and vulnerable victims could be interpreted as a demonstration of the depraved nature of evil, it is clear that the scene explores the recklessness of ambition. Macbeth's aspirations to secure his kingship and safety lead to him acting impulsively- "the firstlings of my heart are the firstlings of my hand". The deaths of the Lady Macduff and her children appears to be a consequence of this instinctive and reckless nature of ambition, rather than Macbeth's evil nature.
   Whilst it could be argued that Shakespeare is exploring the depraved and shocking nature of evil through the murders that take place in the play, it appears that the play has a greater focus on the nature of ambition. Underlying these evil acts of murder is a corruptive, reckless and ruthless ambition. It is this ambition that the play appears to be about, rather than the nature of evil.