Many different character traits are shown by humans of every culture. Although humans may express ambition, loyalty, selfishness, and arrogance in many ways, these traits remain constant in people of all types. Both Macbeth of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Taketoki Washizu of Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood share these traits of arrogance, selfishness, ambition, and loyalty; which conflict both characters and gradually become the collapse of each. As expressed by Michael Mack, author of “Why Read Shakespeare?”, Taketoki Washizu and Macbeth provide relatable examples of ambition-driven characters from diverse cultures and time periods, they also remain relevant to both the public and each other due to the presence of their universal traits.
Throughout most of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth’s ambition becomes the force behind his actions. Similar to Asaji of Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood, Lady Macbeth takes advantage of Macbeth’s ambitious qualities to persuade him to commit outrageous crimes. Although Macbeth has once served the king and his sons for many years, he allowed his wife to manipulate him into murdering King Duncan and Banquo simply because it would allow him to advance and gain power. Lady Macbeth, sarcastically challenges his manhood and criticizes his weakened resolve, giving him the push he needs to commit the act. Lady Macbeth claims:
Was the hope drunk Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,'
Like the poor cat i' the adage?
(I.vii .36-45)
The King’s murder is where Macbeth’s downfall begins. Macbeth knows that he does not have children, and the prophecy states...