How does Shakespeare present the theme of conflict in Macbeth?

There are many different possible approaches you could
take to this question, but to my mind, the most interesting example of conflict in this
play is the internal conflict that Macbeth himself faces after receiving the prophecy of
the witches. Note how this finds its natural expression most clearly in Act I scene 7,
in the soliloquy where Macbeth debates whether to act or not to act, and the various
consequences of both options.

Macbeth quite clearly shows
that he himself is vastly tempted to act on the prophecy. He even says that he would be
willing to "jump the life to come" or risk the eternal consequences of committing
regicide if he could guarantee that the crime could be carried out swiftly and without
reprisals. However, when he begins to think about the consequences of such a crime, his
ambition is halted as he thinks of Duncan's goodness to him and the consequences of
killing somebody who is a guest in his household and somebody who is incredibly
virtuous:

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Besides, this
Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath
been

So clear in his great office, that his
virtues

Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongu'd,
against

The deep damnation of his
taking-off...

Thus Macbeth
does show fear of killing a king who is recognised, both on earth and in heaven, as
being so good. His soliloquy ends with a reflection on the way that ambition can often
propel us into dangerous ground:

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I have no spur

To
prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition,
which o'earleaps itself

And falls on
th'other--

Thus we see the
natural hesitation and fear within Macbeth as he struggles with his own inner conflict
about what to do with the prophecy he has received. It is of course only the persuasion
and cajoling of his wife (another form of conflict) that convinces or shames him into
acting.