One of the central images and symbols in Shakespeare's Macbeth that reveals the effect Macbeth's ambition has on Lady Macbeth is blood--specifically, King Duncan's blood.
When first the image and symbol of blood appears on Macbeth's hands, immediately after he assassinates Duncan (Act 2.2), Lady Macbeth dismisses it, saying that a little water will wash this deed (the assassination and all evidence of it including the blood) away.
But after Macbeth takes it upon himself to kill Banquo and Macduff's family, she suffers a breakdown, plagued by guilt. When she sleepwalks (Act 5.1), she wrings her hands, trying to get the blood off. A little water has not washed it away--nothing, it seems, can wash it away.
Macbeth's excessive ambition, and time, of course, lead Lady Macbeth to a breakdown and eventually to suicide.
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