In the beginning of the play, the witches tell Macbeth prophecies about the power he will gain. Their prophecies fill Macbeth and Lady Macbeth with ambition to take over the thrown at any cost. Before the play, Macbeth was a great general and a good man, but his ambition takes over, and he becomes a crazy murderer with a dangerous thirst for power. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth sacrifice their morals for their ambition. Other characters, such as King Duncan, Macduff, and Banquo have ambitions to be great leaders as well, but they do not allow their ambition to take over their morals and conscience. Unchecked ambition, as in the cases of Macbeth and his wife, will grow to destroy those who it temps.