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Macbeth And Winston's Ambition

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The tenacious Napoleon Bonaparte believes that “great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or bad acts. All depends on the principles that direct them”. People across the world and throughout history are individually different, but what defines their individuality is their ambitions. However, there are numerous factors and influences that build a character’s ambition. By analyzing Winston Smith from George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Macbeth from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it is evident that the pursuit of ambition is built through the development of the principles of intention, motivation, and rationality. However, these principles can differ from character to character. Winston’s …show more content…

At the beginning of Nineteen Eighty-Four, Winston writes into his diary that “Freedom is freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted all else follows” (84). Winston believes that once an individual has the right and freedom to make a statement, whether it may be true or false, other rights and freedoms will begin to develop. The ability to provide the best opportunities for the citizens of Oceania and them to build a better future, becomes Winston’s main ambition. However Macbeth’s ambition contrasts Winston’s, as Macbeth is in pursuit for praise and power. After Lady Macbeth is able to successfully manipulate Macbeth into murdering Duncan, he acknowledges the fact that he “bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people,/ Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,/ Not cast aside so soon” (1.7. 34-37). Through the use of metaphors, Macbeth realizes the amount of praise he receives from others is quite meaningful. He also believes that this praise can be further achieved through his coronation as king of Scotland. As one can see, Macbeth’s selfish desires of gaining more attention through the worshipment from others, contradicts Winston’s altruistic passions. Therefore, Winston and Macbeth’s ambitions are opposing, as Winston feels it is his duty to provide the best for his country while Macbeth desires for praise from his

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