Comparing Ambition In Macbeth And The Prestige

Ambition as a term that means 'a strong desire to do or achieve something' whereas obsession's definition is that 'an idea or thought that continually preoccupies one's mind.' It is crucial to identify the fine line in between both emotions. Ambition, is that force that motivates you towards a goal. Obsession, is some thing one believes they cannot live without. Although both emotions have different intentions, a similarity between the two is that they both are desires of the person. Similarly, this fine line is explored in William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" and "The Prestige" a film directed by Christopher Nolan. The characters Macbeth and Angier are perfect examples of ambition crossing that fine line and forming into obsession. Both of

Angier goes to great lengths to achieve this. After his wife's death, Angier seems to be on a hunt, at first it is to implement revenge on Alfred through physically harming him but then Angier decides to perform Alfred's tricks but better than him. It is evident that this feud between the two had begun because of the death but along the way of needing to be better than Alfred, Angier begins to forget why this rivalry was caused. This notion is portrayed when Angier says "I don't care about my wife. I care about his secrets" to Olivia once Angier has Alfred's diary in his hand. Further in the film, Angier seems to have broken all ties relating his need to be better with his wife, for him it is all about beating Alfred. Angier spends thousands in order to create a machine that allows Angier to perform Alfred's trick but that machine has its own consequences, technically, whenever Angier will perform that particular trick, he will be killing 'himself' countless times, thus presenting the obsession of being the best magician. As a consequence of the desire to be the best, Angier tangles himself in what he thinks is merely his ambition however, it develops into deadly