Ambition as a Concept Ambition is a robust psychological trait that delves into the complexities of the pursuit of success, motivations, and human desires. Ambition is generally seen as a desirable trait. The concept of ambition in William Shakespeare's "Richard III," Niccol Machiavelli's "The Prince," and Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" have different reasonings behind them; however, they all relate and contribute to modern-day ambition. This essay will dive into how ambition operates in these works, the questions they raise, and their contributions to modern society. There is insight to gain into its timeless and universal significance. In “Richard III,” ambition is vividly portrayed through the character of Richard, whose unrelenting pursuit …show more content…
Additionally, Jane Austen's “Northanger Abbey” offers insights into ambition's nuances, reflecting contemporary aspirations for social acceptance, personal growth, and navigating societal expectations. The modern context of ambition raises pertinent questions about ethical leadership, drawing parallels to the ethical dilemmas faced by ambitious figures like Richard, Machiavellian leaders, and characters in Austen's works. It also prompts reflections on the impact of ambition on societal progress, with ambitious initiatives often driving innovation, economic growth, and social change while balancing personal ambition with collective well-being. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of ambition is evident in its adaptation to changing societal norms, technological advancements, and global challenges. Ambition today encompasses not just personal success but also a sense of responsibility toward addressing pressing issues such as climate change, social inequality, and ethical considerations in technological
Many humans desire to be at the top of social and economic ladders, in order to feel a sense of success and accomplishment. Individuals who wish to be at the top, are impelled by ambition and the hunger for power to help reach their goals. However, too much ambition and need for power blinds the individual from the world around them, and causes them to neglect the moralities of their actions. Whether they do certain things with intent or not, they usually manipulate or walk over others to get what they need. In both Hamlet and Fifth Business the theme of ambition and power is explored similarly. In Hamlet, Shakespeare shows how the intentional actions that are driven by greed, ambition and yearning for power can effect the individual. By contrast,
Many individuals find themselves developing ambitions or goals. Some of those individuals will have the determination to try to achieve these goals, which will lead to some failing, and others succeeding. In fact, this may impact other individual’s lives. In the non-fiction novel Into Thin Air, author Jon Krakauer examines both the advantages and disadvantages of ambition, implying that ambition can either be a blessing or become a tragic flaw. Krakauer develops his ideas by utilizing character motivation to explore the negative and positive aspects of ambition on self and others.
Any goal in life is achieved through ambition, fueled by determination, desire and hard work. Ambition maybe a driving force to success or to a pit of failure, the path chosen by an individual determines the end. Remember that any goal to be fulfilled needs desire, desire that strives to do good or greedy desire that is selfish. Also the actions that contribute to our ‘hard work’ need to be morally and ethically right to enjoy the sweet success. However, when the desire and determination is stronger than conscience, many tend to fail often reach or don’t reach what they strived for, leaving them emotionally or even physically dead. The inner lying consequence of ambition is clearly stated by Napoleon, he quotes “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principals which direct them”. The undesirable consequence of ambition can be observed in the lives of the protagonists of ‘The Great Gatsby and Macbeth. This describes the direction in which ambition is driven could change the end result, it is simply based on the individual itself rather than the dream they seek to achieve. Therefore, the strong drive of ambition helps the seeker attain their goal but greedy desires and wrong paths taken eventually lead to downfall.
Ambition is beautiful. Ambition drives people to do things they have a strong sense of desire to do, believing they are capable of achieving a certain goal. We find this trait among many of our nations remarkable leaders who were willing to make a stand, take risks, and speak their minds, sharing their greatest triumphs as well as their painful loses. These leaders were distinctive individuals who changed our nation solely through their unyielding ways. During times of racial injustice, post emancipation proclamation, and women’s suffrage, seeking the right to express individualism was a burden upon many. However, in the late 19th century, the nation’s post-war South remained a precarious place, and significant challenges lay ahead after
Ambition is frequently seen as desirable - it provides purpose, motivation to work hard, and a goal to strive towards. Yet it also has a dangerous side, when it becomes too great and out of control. Although ambition is often positive, excess of it can have detrimental effects. This unrestrained ambition is predominant in the tragedy of Macbeth. In this play, Shakespeare employs the use of hallucination, blood, and prophecy motifs to emphasize the theme of ambition, which, when goes unchecked by moral constraints, wreaks destruction upon an individual.
For the play’s entirety, Shakespeare reveals the devastating repercussions of unchecked ambition. Usually, ambition is thought as a positive trait that drives one to achieve and succeed. However, in Macbeth, Shakespeare conveys the opposite. Someone as innocent as Macbeth could end up the way he did all because of ambition. Shakespeare shows us how Macbeth had reached the moment in life, different for each of us, when a man either abandons himself to his fate or to his rebirth, two paths that either bid one's life to crumble or outdo
Ambition is defined as a strong will to achieve something, and at times, it will inspire success. But, what is truly considered success? In William Shakespeare’s work Macbeth, ambition is one of the most prominent themes. To begin with, Lady Macbeth’s ambition sparks treacherous ideas, which results in her own tragedy. Furthermore, Macduff’s ambition is treated as impulsive thinking, leading to his tragic experience.
Where is there a page in William Shakespeare's tragic play Macbeth which does not present the selfish virtue of personal ambition. This paper addresses the problem of ambition in the drama.
...rn day society, illusive ambitions can be incredibly detrimental, just as they are demonstrated to be in Macbeth. Ambitions, if they are untamed, can be an impediment to free will; they can overpower your good conscience, possibly leading you into causing death and destruction. They can also corrupt one’s mental health, while practically morphing that person’s perception of reality into something demonstrably wrong and twisted. Finally, they can boost ones ego to a point where that person is engulfed and imprisoned in the vehemence of their own denial, which can ultimately bear fatal consequences. If one’s hopes and desires are innately destructive, then it logically follows that that one’s ambition is also innately destructive; be wary of one with an immense ambition.
Ambition and desire are double-edged notions present in all who crave success and power. While ambition is most often associated with unfavorable greed and overwhelming need, people who express this desire are simultaneously praised for being goal-oriented and steadfast in achieving their goals. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, this duality of ambition is explored through the character of Lady Macbeth. In the play, Lady Macbeth’s husband, Macbeth, is prophesied to be king, and in order to expedite his path to the throne and their combined rise to power, Lady Macbeth plots to murder the current King Duncan. Throughout her Act I soliloquy, Lady Macbeth reveals not only her malevolent and scheming nature, but also profound determination
Macbeth written by Shakespeare, is a tragic and historical thriller play filled with action-packed murders and the fall of man. The characters are portrayed to have personal ambitions. Shakespeare displayed these ambitions to both be destructive and constructive. Which unchecked ambition has detrimental impacts as shown in the main characters and checked, cautious ambition can help influence and encourage others. Ambition is an overarching theme found common in the play and could also be shown for the sake of justice and a positive characteristic. These ambitions were either presented as fatal flaws shown
Ambition can be a good thing; however too much ambition can be deadly. In this case it was extremely deadly. The establishment of social statuses gave people a reason, not a justified reason, but a reason to step on others to move up the social ladder. Claudius murdered his brother for his crown. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betray their best friend Hamlet, because he would have been the downfall of them. Too much ambition eliminates morals and judgment. Too much ambition makes only one person important and that person is the person it has infected. Due to the deadly nature of an ambition overload the ending result in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet was death of the royal family. The determination of Claudius to get to the top of the social ladder fell through and brought him and everybody associated with him down with him.
An ambition is an eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something. To obtain object or goal that is immensely desired. It comes from the Middle English word “ambicioun,” meaning and excessive desire for power, money or wealth. Ambition is something that everyone, no matter their age or cultural background, has instinctively. Ambition can be a driving force for success, or in some cases a road to failure. Through ambitious undertakings we can set goals and find ourselves and our God-given talents.
In my Concept Study assignment I will be exploring the concept of strophes. Throughout Antigone, Sophocles utilizes strophes and antistrophes, dividing the narrative of the play. One passage that demonstrates the use of this concept is a passage from lines 331 to 351,where the use of strophes and antistrophes is presented for the second time. This passage was interesting to me as a reader, because it was the first time that I noticed how drastically the strophe and the antistrophe starkly contrasted the other, and was the first time that I even realized that this was what they were meant to do. Furthermore the passage is interesting in its use of language, particularly the words Sophocles chooses to describe the actions of man. The perception
Evver since I was a little boy, I have always been ambitious. But who wasn’t? Before writing this paper, I did a little research to help me better understand the different forms of ambition, and if it differs between younger and older groups of people. I sat and asked my little brother what he ...