The Definition Of Ambition

To fully comprehend a work you cannot just read it. You must read it, analyze it, question it, and even then question what you are questioning. In Richard Rodriguez’s The Achievement of Desire we are presented with a young Richard Rodriguez and follow him from the start of his education until he is an adult finally having reached his goals. In reference to the way he reads for the majority of his education, it can be said he reads going with the grain, while he reads a large volume of books, the quality of his reading is lacking.

1. An earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment

All of us possess ambition, that determination to achieve a particular goal. But when it comes to the ambition of a nation things can go well or have sour effects in the end. This trend is apparent in American history. Competition, good intention, and change have been large motivators of this aspiration in our country. Many significant events in U.S. history provide examples of both good and bad ambition. Is being so determined always a good quality?

Salvador Dali once said, “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.”, meaning that without ambition the world would never progress. Ambition is “a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work”(Google Dictionary). Ambition is what has made the world what it is today, whether that be a good thing or bad. People all around the world have ambitions, hopes, and dreams for the future; to give their family a better life in a new country, to get a promotion, to get straight A’s. Ambition gave women and people of color a right to vote, and same sex marriage. While ambition is intr to change, it's not always a good thing. It can cause the conceding of others and their own core values. Many characters in the novel Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Christopher E. Crowe are ambitious, but in the end, only a few characters ambition results in good. Throughout the novel the ambitions of Earl, Harlan, and Hiram all intertwine

Discuss the idea developed by the text creator in your chosen text about the impact of an individual’s ambition on self and others.

In his essay “The Achievement of Desire,” Richard Rodriguez has certain ways of speaking and caring. In particular, he focuses on his education and his family. These two will eventually clash and interfere with each other. Rodriguez contrasts school, family, teachers and most importantly himself. He also tells us how left his childhood and family for education, but when he wanted to return he couldn’t fully do so. He learned he couldn't fully return due to his conforming to education that leads him to observe and analyze everything.

Although ambition can be satisfied without abandoning virtues, it is difficult if one does not keep their focus on the correct thing. Macbeth, for example, was not able to satisfy his ambition without abandoning his virtues. In fact, Macbeth admits to himself that he has "no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on th' other" (Shakespeare 41). I believe that Macbeth would have been able to satisfy his ambition if he had chosen to put his ambition towards a different cause than overthrowing the king and killing those who stood against him. In a similar way, the Europeans would have been able to satisfy their ambition without abandoning their virtues and inconsiderately moving the Indians or controlling them.

The definition of ambition is a strong desire to achieve something, usually requiring determination and hard work. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare based on true events from Roman history. This play demonstrates ambition through Caesar. Caesar is a highly successful but ambitious political leader of Rome. The people of Rome wanted him to become their king, and conspirators saw that as a threat. Many of the conspirators feel that he is too ambitious and going to become a tyrant, so they plot to murder him. Caesar’s ambition is also what worries Brutus, and ultimately leads to Brutus joining the conspiracy to murder Caesar. The conspirators along with Brutus successfully murder Caesar. Throughout the play there are multiple instances where Caesar’s overly ambitious character was detrimental and lead to his downfall. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar written by Shakespeare, through Caesar, demonstrates how ambition may be the force propelling one towards accomplishment, it can still lead to one’s downfall.

Ambition is a force that helps drive societies forward. When the power of a nation falls in the hands of a single person ambition takes many spectacular and ugly forms. It can be both the making and destruction of that person but regardless of the net effect, ambition will have deep socio-economic, political, and cultural roots. Three dictators were taken by ambition and it pushed them into a costly, long, battle to obtain and maintain power. Those leaders are Macbeth, Idi Amin, and, Napoleon Bonaparte.

In the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, you will find many different themes. One theme that stuck out to me was ambition. Cassius and the others believed that Caesar was ambitious, and indeed he was a very ambitious character. Some ways that I was able to see the ambition in this character was when he defeated Pompey, refused the crown three times, he did not listen to the multiple warnings that people gave him throughout the play. These were all acts of ambition.

Ambition is a strong desire to do or achieve something, requiring determination and hard work. Caesar and Hitler both had ambition but for different reasons and they had different plans. Hitler and Caesar both were very powerful leaders. Hitler was the leader of the German Nazi’s and he had them doing terrible things to the Jews.

Also, ambition is not always a bad thing. It means having a strong will or desire to do something. If Caesar had determination for Rome, it could have been to make Rome a more powerful and stronger country, which is not a bad thing. This was just a poor

Everyone is born with a capacity for great evil. The idea of freedom and absence of law alters our character to ignore values and virtues, exposing our egotistic personality. Over the course of the play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, unchecked ambitions awakens evil within characters, allowing them to be compared and contrasted. In the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth is initially presented as a confident yet ruthless individual who lacks concern for the well being of others. Meanwhile, Macbeth, the new Thane of Cawdor is able to maintain loyalty to King Duncan but also Scotland, being a character that easily obtains sympathy from the audience. Therefore, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth can be compared and contrasted to one another for their apparent similarities and differences in character. This is achieved by examining their personalities, decisions made and the conflicts they are involved in.

Anthony is showing that Caesar was not ambitious at all, Caesar was trying to help and make Rome a better place. He brought wealth to the city and also listened to what the Roman republic wanted and try to help them get the things that they wanted. Although Caesar knew what power is he didn't know how dangerous it might be in his hands. Caesar's friends saw what Caesar didn't in himself. Furthermore, during Brutus’ soliloquy in Act Two Scene One, Brutus mentions Caesar’s greed for power.

Another instance of rift in relationships in regards to ambition and the American Dream can be found in the father-son relationship between Willy and his son Biff. Willy always believed that personality, not hard work or innovation, was the key to success. His personal views even justified adultery. This is where conflicts arose; Biff was against this trait of his father’s personality. It is only after learning about Willy’s infidelity that Biff decides to pursue his own American Dream. However, he is torn between two American Dreams: becoming a salesman like his father or immersing himself in nature. Different ambitions and perceptions of the American Dream eventually led to Biff being convinced that his father had the “wrong” dream. At this point, the arising question is: is ambition contributing towards the realization of an American