The Dark Side of Ambition Exists in Literature
Ambition is a good thing it helps us achieve things we set our mind to. Over ambition is not a good thing it bring people great leaders and empire to their downfall." Great books to set examples for "The Dark Side of Ambition in Literature": Macbeth by William Shakespeare and The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. There are also sources that support these works to show in "the dark side of ambition exists in literature."
Macbeth was an ambitious epic hero he fought for the king and saved his son until he met three mischievous witches who told him of his fate, which then only made him over ambitious. "If it were done when 'tis done, 'twere well/it were done quickly: if the assassination/ could trammel up the consequence, and catch,/ with his surcease." Macbeth realizes that this has nothing but his own personal gain though his death.
Brutus and the Ghost of Caesar. Copperplate engrav...
Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.
Macbeth Consulting the Vision of the Armed Head. B...This is not enough to justify the act of killing a king, which is why he resolves to not go through with it after this speech. Of course, we know that Macbeth does murder Duncan due to the ambition of his wife cause his wife wants her husband to have power. Macbeth's over ambition leads him to his downfall; "Either thou, Macbeth, / Or else my sword, with an unbatter'd edge, / I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be; / by this great clatter, one of greatest note / Seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune! / and more I beg not" (V VIII). Macduff's only ambition is to kill Macbeth, the man who has murdered his wife and children. He has no interest in personal gain but in the satisfaction that he revenged his wife and children. This is a...