Ambition

Ambition is one of the underlying themes of the book, as it plays a large part in almost all of the characters that take a part in the events of the plot.

Ambition is examined obliquely through the actions of the central characters and the effects that their actions have on the world around them, so for example we see the Ambition of the Secretary General of France; Guillame de Nogaret's ambition to crush the Order of the Knight's Templar so he can seize their wealth and further destabilize the power of the Church in France. This ambition for Nogaret creates an almost missionary zeal as he drives his persecution of the Templar through in the beginning of the book; Part One. However as we see, ambition always has consequences; Nogaret's personal crusade divides the people against the King, and calls down 'the Curse' of Jacques du Molay...