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What Is Ambition In Macbeth

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Ambition is defined as “a strong desire to do or to achieve something” (Dictionary.com). To accomplish anything, from a simple task to a daunting feat, one simply needs ambition. In William Shakespeare’s iconic play, Macbeth, the underrated danger of this initiative is introduced. Through Macbeth’s murderous rise to power, Shakespeare demonstrates the destructive force of humanity’s ambition, which remains a relevant notion today. Macbeth’s determination to become King results in his destructive and murderous tactics. Macbeth initially struggles with his decision to kill King Duncan: But in these case We still have judgement here, that we but teach… This even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips…First,…show more content…
Days before the U.S Women’s Championships, and weeks prior to the 1994 Winter Games, her fellow competitor and rival, Nancy Kerrigan, was bludgeoned just above her right knee. The doctor who treated Kerrigan told the New York Times at the time that the assailant “was clearly trying to debilitate her”. It would later be known, the assailant was hired by Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. With Kerrigan injured, Harding was able to secure gold at the championships and a spot at the Olympics. The attack rattled the Figure Skating World and attracted international attention, as many people believed Tonya Harding had attempted to sabotage her teammate to ensure her own success at the Olympics. Harding later pleaded guilty to conspiring to hinder the prosecution, during the federal criminal investigation. However, six months after the attack, the U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) conducted their own investigation in relation to Harding’s involvement in the attack. Panel chairman, William Hybl, announced their decision: "By a preponderance of the evidence, the five members of the panel concluded that she had prior knowledge and was involved prior to the incident,"(Washington Post). Following their investigation, Harding was stripped of her 1994 U.S. Championship title and was permanently banned from all USFSA events as a skater and coach. Every Olympian is ambitious and…show more content…
Harding endured shocking abuse by her mother and husband. Whilst, Macbeth is manipulated by his wife to continue to kill and preserve his power. After Macbeth retracts his decision and decides not to kill King Duncan, Lady Macbeth questions her husband’s masculinity: “What beast was’t, then, / That made you break this enterprise to me? / When you durst do it, then you were a man; / And to be more than what you were, you would / Be so much more the man” (1.7.29). In this quotation, Lady Macbeth tells her husband he would be more of a man if he goes through with the murder, and keeps his word. This is an example of Lady Macbeth’s consistent manipulation, in which she commonly targets his masculinity and apparent cowardice. His eventual descent into immorality and apathy is a consequence of Lady Macbeth’s malicious planning and coercion. As showcased in the mock-documentary, I Tonya, Harding was a victim of domestic violence for the majority of her life. The film depicts a particular scene in which her mother throws a knife at her arm, during one of their violent arguments. The dark comedy features Harding’s repeated abuse and her own uncomfortable tolerance of it. Her mother and husband concealed their abuse through their apparent support and “tough-love” façade. Like Macbeth, Tonya was negatively influenced by people in her life and inevitably misguided by their actions. As everyone around them
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