Role Of Ambition In Macbeth
Thomas Zimmerman
Mrs. Simpson
English 10H P.3
9 February, 2018
Following Ambition’s Path
Ambition. When used by most humans, it can lead to dynamic or destructive outcomes, yet nobody really knows where it comes from. This brings up two very important questions: ¨Where does ambition come from, and what is its purpose?¨ In modern day life, these questions can be answered effortlessly. In regard to classic and contemporary literature, however, the answers are more strenuous to pursue. Not only is it used regularly in literature, it is often misunderstood. Within the minds of some people, such as Macbeth, Donald Trump, and Jack, ambition is seen as practical to their purpose, yet to the world, those interests are seen as destructive. Looking through …show more content…
the eyes of Macbeth, from Shakespeare's play Macbeth, through Donald Trump in an article written by Aaron Blake, and through Jack, from William Golding’s novel The Lord of the flies, one can see the choices and decisions made by these characters in their effort to achieve greatness and go to the stars. Now, while these actions taken are perceived by the world as destructive and inhumane, those actions are actually driving each character down his path to success, even as those they love turn their backs to them. These ambitions prove to us that no matter what, we must not seek to listen to the hate, but rather to follow the light.
Ambition if a force of nature that is acquired from within, and is used to fuel the drive within people to pursue their goals, no matter positive or negative.
However, many of these dissenting goals are inspirational and rewarding based on the point of view of the antagonist, as shown in classic literature. In a play written by Shakespeare, the main antagonist Macbeth began to carry tremendous weight upon his shoulders as he is told to slay his friends and take to the throne by his wife. The sick ambition consumed him and guided his vision astray, directing him to the murderers and saying that “Fleance his son, that keeps him company,/ Whose absence is no less material to me/ Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate/ Of that dark hour” (III.i. 136-39). Macbeth’s ambition for king got the better of him as he kills Banquo, his best friend and partner, without blinking an eye. In his eyes, this is all part of a more sinister plan to become king, yet to the rest of the world, he is seen as greedy and selfish. Retaliation commences and ambition is tested, but eventually Macbeth is released from the chains controlling him. Although the ambitions he pursued seemed horrid, it was his choice. Throughout time and history, people have been judged on the choices they make, and change to meet the needs of the others. Macbeth defied that, refusing to let the world change what he believed in, which shows his compelling ambition and drive towards his …show more content…
goal.
Pursuing your dreams, defining expectations, and controlling ambition are some of the greatest achievements that has been set forth to discover on earth. Those three have been sought after throughout the time of humans, but ambition has been a major fork in the road for generations. The majority of the world turns left , but some people have the courage to turn right, such as Jack. In William Golding’s novel, the young boy wanders away from the concepts of rescue and towards fun and hunting. Eventually, squabbles break out between the tribes, and in one fight between him and Ralph, he “wrenched free and swung his spear at Ralph. By common consent they were using the sabers as spears, no longer daring the lethal points. The blow struck Ralph’s spear and slid down to fall agonizingly on his fingers” (Golding 177). Jack’s ambition to have fun instead of being rescued turned into a fight for survival. Eventually his ambition turned so evil that he believed survival was only possible without Ralph. This shows the true power of ambition and its consequences. Although Jack and his tribe did kill two of the kids, they did so in order to fulfill their dreams. Yet they were still judged by others. That’s how life works, and how it always will. People will always doubt and despise others, will always try to break them down, just because their dreams involve something negative, but as long as they have the courage to pursue and ignore the hate, ambition will lead them to greatness.
While ambition is spotted in many classic literary works, it is also spotted in modern life a plethora of times, particularly in the government. Ambition is especially present in President Trump. Recently, he shared top secret information with the Russians, potentially exposing the United States and everyone within it. His ambitions and hubris were risky, but the aftermath was a mess. Politicians and reporters around the country flocked to record the story, threatening him, and talking about how he “seems to be very reckless, and doesn’t grasp the gravity of the things he’s dealing with, especially when it comes to intelligence and national security” (Blake). Trump’s disgraceful meeting caused him to become less of a person, while the media of the nation began to wage a war on him. His ambition to ‘Make America Great Again’ put him in such a tight corner from which he may never rise from, and the world is making sure he stays there. Throughout all of this, a big misconception is unfolding. The people of America are being uncivilized and disrespectful to Trump. Why? All because what Trump believes in is not what anyone else does. Nobody should attack other peoples integrity based off their ambition. Never should other people cloud our dreams and overtake us, never let anyone tell you that your dreams are misconceptions and disgraces. Everyone’s personal ambition, no matter how people look at it, beat it, even try to destroy it, it is yours alone, and will be with you for all of life.
Ambition, when used correctly, can be the most powerful tool in our existence.
The way people perceive ambition, however, is more tenacious than anything else. No matter what, ambition will always be there to guide you along the path to success, no matter good or bad, but just remember to not listen to the people who try to cut you down. Listen to Macbeth, but overcome those who oppose you with powerful ideas and dreams. Be like Jack, and have fun with your ideas and dreams. Dream like Trump, and one day your ideas will have a greater influence on the world as we know it. If we choose to follow the path that ambition will take us upon, turning a blind eye to those who chose the left road, we will be led to the
stars.
Works Cited
Blake, Aaron. "Trump sharing highly classified information with Russia shows his extreme hubris." Washingtonpost.com, 15 May 2017. Student Resources in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491770961/SUIC?u=simi28223&xid=292343f2. Accessed 24 Feb. 2018.
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Penguin Group, 1954.
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Advanced Literature and Learning. Bedford/ St. Martins, 2016. 254-313. Print.
Mrs. Simpson
English 10H P.3
9 February, 2018
Following Ambition’s Path
Ambition. When used by most humans, it can lead to dynamic or destructive outcomes, yet nobody really knows where it comes from. This brings up two very important questions: ¨Where does ambition come from, and what is its purpose?¨ In modern day life, these questions can be answered effortlessly. In regard to classic and contemporary literature, however, the answers are more strenuous to pursue. Not only is it used regularly in literature, it is often misunderstood. Within the minds of some people, such as Macbeth, Donald Trump, and Jack, ambition is seen as practical to their purpose, yet to the world, those interests are seen as destructive. Looking through …show more content…
the eyes of Macbeth, from Shakespeare's play Macbeth, through Donald Trump in an article written by Aaron Blake, and through Jack, from William Golding’s novel The Lord of the flies, one can see the choices and decisions made by these characters in their effort to achieve greatness and go to the stars. Now, while these actions taken are perceived by the world as destructive and inhumane, those actions are actually driving each character down his path to success, even as those they love turn their backs to them. These ambitions prove to us that no matter what, we must not seek to listen to the hate, but rather to follow the light.
Ambition if a force of nature that is acquired from within, and is used to fuel the drive within people to pursue their goals, no matter positive or negative.
However, many of these dissenting goals are inspirational and rewarding based on the point of view of the antagonist, as shown in classic literature. In a play written by Shakespeare, the main antagonist Macbeth began to carry tremendous weight upon his shoulders as he is told to slay his friends and take to the throne by his wife. The sick ambition consumed him and guided his vision astray, directing him to the murderers and saying that “Fleance his son, that keeps him company,/ Whose absence is no less material to me/ Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate/ Of that dark hour” (III.i. 136-39). Macbeth’s ambition for king got the better of him as he kills Banquo, his best friend and partner, without blinking an eye. In his eyes, this is all part of a more sinister plan to become king, yet to the rest of the world, he is seen as greedy and selfish. Retaliation commences and ambition is tested, but eventually Macbeth is released from the chains controlling him. Although the ambitions he pursued seemed horrid, it was his choice. Throughout time and history, people have been judged on the choices they make, and change to meet the needs of the others. Macbeth defied that, refusing to let the world change what he believed in, which shows his compelling ambition and drive towards his …show more content…
goal.
Pursuing your dreams, defining expectations, and controlling ambition are some of the greatest achievements that has been set forth to discover on earth. Those three have been sought after throughout the time of humans, but ambition has been a major fork in the road for generations. The majority of the world turns left , but some people have the courage to turn right, such as Jack. In William Golding’s novel, the young boy wanders away from the concepts of rescue and towards fun and hunting. Eventually, squabbles break out between the tribes, and in one fight between him and Ralph, he “wrenched free and swung his spear at Ralph. By common consent they were using the sabers as spears, no longer daring the lethal points. The blow struck Ralph’s spear and slid down to fall agonizingly on his fingers” (Golding 177). Jack’s ambition to have fun instead of being rescued turned into a fight for survival. Eventually his ambition turned so evil that he believed survival was only possible without Ralph. This shows the true power of ambition and its consequences. Although Jack and his tribe did kill two of the kids, they did so in order to fulfill their dreams. Yet they were still judged by others. That’s how life works, and how it always will. People will always doubt and despise others, will always try to break them down, just because their dreams involve something negative, but as long as they have the courage to pursue and ignore the hate, ambition will lead them to greatness.
While ambition is spotted in many classic literary works, it is also spotted in modern life a plethora of times, particularly in the government. Ambition is especially present in President Trump. Recently, he shared top secret information with the Russians, potentially exposing the United States and everyone within it. His ambitions and hubris were risky, but the aftermath was a mess. Politicians and reporters around the country flocked to record the story, threatening him, and talking about how he “seems to be very reckless, and doesn’t grasp the gravity of the things he’s dealing with, especially when it comes to intelligence and national security” (Blake). Trump’s disgraceful meeting caused him to become less of a person, while the media of the nation began to wage a war on him. His ambition to ‘Make America Great Again’ put him in such a tight corner from which he may never rise from, and the world is making sure he stays there. Throughout all of this, a big misconception is unfolding. The people of America are being uncivilized and disrespectful to Trump. Why? All because what Trump believes in is not what anyone else does. Nobody should attack other peoples integrity based off their ambition. Never should other people cloud our dreams and overtake us, never let anyone tell you that your dreams are misconceptions and disgraces. Everyone’s personal ambition, no matter how people look at it, beat it, even try to destroy it, it is yours alone, and will be with you for all of life.
Ambition, when used correctly, can be the most powerful tool in our existence.
The way people perceive ambition, however, is more tenacious than anything else. No matter what, ambition will always be there to guide you along the path to success, no matter good or bad, but just remember to not listen to the people who try to cut you down. Listen to Macbeth, but overcome those who oppose you with powerful ideas and dreams. Be like Jack, and have fun with your ideas and dreams. Dream like Trump, and one day your ideas will have a greater influence on the world as we know it. If we choose to follow the path that ambition will take us upon, turning a blind eye to those who chose the left road, we will be led to the
stars.
Works Cited
Blake, Aaron. "Trump sharing highly classified information with Russia shows his extreme hubris." Washingtonpost.com, 15 May 2017. Student Resources in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491770961/SUIC?u=simi28223&xid=292343f2. Accessed 24 Feb. 2018.
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Penguin Group, 1954.
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Advanced Literature and Learning. Bedford/ St. Martins, 2016. 254-313. Print.