Macbeth Ambition Research Paper

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Dreams, they are good to have and to be desired. However when the need for that dream to come true is too much, they become one's downfall. Many literatures from the Anglo-Saxon era have displayed such ambition in its stories. None of these stories would not have happened if it were not for the driven ambitions of the characters in these tales. The concept of ambition leading to downfall is illustrated among these literatures through character's outcome of their main objective. To start it off, disappointment is one the results for having such strong ambitions. Whenever someone goes out of their way in order to achieve their goal, it usually never goes as they have planned. In some cases, the results of what was planned ends up as a letdown …show more content…

Trying too hard to do something is never a good thing. It is not always best to overdo a situation, or otherwise there will be grave consequences that follow. In Macbeth’s situation, the fact that he tried so hard to keep his power intact ultimately drove him to face death. As it was displayed, “…for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth. Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; that I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder” (IV, i, 80). Macbeth was confident that he would not die, however he sent killers out to kill Macduff in just in case. By doing so he only sealed his fate as he will fall to Macduff. One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it. Stubbornness and pride of one’s ambition may also lead to death. Beowulf’s pride was his demise. Beowulf gave out one last gloat: I have never been scared; I have been in many battles when I was younger. However I am old now but I will still fight once more, and thus obtain more popularity (Beowulf line 623). Although it is courageous of Beowulf to fight alone to protect his kingdom, it is also foolish. By wanting to finish the job himself, he eventually lost his life. In the end, it was all just the desire to increase his fame and secure his legacy that got him

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