Aspiration and Ambition
Ambition is a factor that has affected many individual’s lives throughout history. Some people say that ambition is healthy for individuals and it causes a drive for improvement, and while this may be true, others will argue that it leads to a sense of self-entitlement from controlling others. The desire for success is a struggle for individuals throughout all stages of life, and it can often go awry when selfish intents begin to take hold and change their moral codes. If an individual’s ambition is to gain power, they will often do whatever it takes to protect it, even at the cost of someone’s life, both figuratively and literally. The play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, provides a perfect example of how ambition can ruin an individual’s life. Ambition causes a …show more content…
Enough is never enough, especially if one feels that what they do have could be taken away at anytime, and drastic measures may be taken for an individual to protect what they have. “To be thus is nothing,/But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo/Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature/Reigns that which would be feared.” (3.1.54-58) Macbeth reveals that although he is king, it is worthless if all of it is taken away by Banquo, and all of the work he has put in has been wasted. Macbeth knows that Banquo would make a better king than himself, for he sees traits in him, such as bravery, wisdom and Macbeth fears him for this. The thought of losing his power scares Macbeth, especially if it is to someone who is better than him, and even though the prophecy said it would be Banquo’s sons, not Banquo, he chooses to kill him - just to be sure. The obsession that individuals who are driven by power face, leads to maniacal actions and paranoia, which can cause over possessiveness and
Ambition is a factor that has affected many individual’s lives throughout history. Some people say that ambition is healthy for individuals and it causes a drive for improvement, and while this may be true, others will argue that it leads to a sense of self-entitlement from controlling others. The desire for success is a struggle for individuals throughout all stages of life, and it can often go awry when selfish intents begin to take hold and change their moral codes. If an individual’s ambition is to gain power, they will often do whatever it takes to protect it, even at the cost of someone’s life, both figuratively and literally. The play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, provides a perfect example of how ambition can ruin an individual’s life. Ambition causes a …show more content…
Enough is never enough, especially if one feels that what they do have could be taken away at anytime, and drastic measures may be taken for an individual to protect what they have. “To be thus is nothing,/But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo/Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature/Reigns that which would be feared.” (3.1.54-58) Macbeth reveals that although he is king, it is worthless if all of it is taken away by Banquo, and all of the work he has put in has been wasted. Macbeth knows that Banquo would make a better king than himself, for he sees traits in him, such as bravery, wisdom and Macbeth fears him for this. The thought of losing his power scares Macbeth, especially if it is to someone who is better than him, and even though the prophecy said it would be Banquo’s sons, not Banquo, he chooses to kill him - just to be sure. The obsession that individuals who are driven by power face, leads to maniacal actions and paranoia, which can cause over possessiveness and