Ambition In Macbeth

Ambition is defined as the motivating element for one's personal triumph. However, an immoderate amount of ambition can lead an individual to believe that they must go through extraordinary measures in order to reach this aspiration. These measures can ultimately result in violence and thirst for power, eventually resulting in personal defeat. William Shakespeare's, Macbeth, and the actions portrayed by former president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, exhibit that inheriting over ambitious qualities for dominance can be extremely harmful. The ambition of power turns desire into despair as morals become lost, power is abused, and demise is the outcome. When ambition of power takes over, one is most likely to act upon it by rejecting their core principles and values. This includes overthrowing those who are pure and innocent, out of complete

When intentions have changed, misuse of dominance becomes a common trend amongst leaders. In order to maintain his position on the throne, Macbeth uses violence to get rid of any potential traitors: “That I require a clearness. And with him/ To leave no rubs nor botches in the work/ Fleance, his son, that keeps him company” (III, i, 148-150), and ordered murderers to kill Banquo and his son. Banquo’s suspicion in regards to Duncan’s murder, and the witches prophecy about Banquo’s descendants becoming king resulted in Fleance and Banquo becoming a threat to Macbeth and his position. Likewise, Hussein abused his power when he ordered a gas attack on Kurds in Halabja in northern Iraq because they did not support his presidency. Saddam Hussein believed that “Whoever tries to climb over our fence, we will try to climb over his house” (Hussein), making it evident that his resolution to conflicts consists of resorting to violence. When ambitions take over, one evidently begins to fill with envy, resulting in