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Ambition is a powerful, motivating force. Often it is
considered desirable, since it inspires people to realize
their dreams. In fact, people without ambition are usually
regarded as lazy.
Is it possible to be overly ambitious? When might high
aspirations lead to terrible consequences?
Such questions are explored in the story of Macbeth, a
general whose ambition is to become king.
With a partner, brainstorm a list of people – historical and
contemporary – whose ambitions had tragic
consequences. Beside their names, jot down what they
hoped to achieve and the negative results of their
ambitions.
1.
Hitler
1.
2.
John F. Kennedy
2.
3.
4.
5.
Martin Luther King
Obama
Ponce de Leon
3.
4.
5.
6.
Reverend Jim Jones
6.
Death of millions and
himself
Corrupt / Unfaithful in
marriage /
Assassination
Health Care
Never found the
Fountain of Youth
Convinced people to
commit ritualistic
suicide
2nd Period
1.
Karl Marx (idealist)
Napoleon (started off
as an idealist /
became corrupt)
3. Julius Caesar
2.
Nelson Mandella
(idealist)
5. Saddam Hussein
6. Abraham Lincoln
(idealist)
4.
1.
Founder of Communism,
which became corrupt.
2.
He was defeated and exiled.
3.
He wanted to conquer the
world; he was assassinated by
Brutus and the other
conspirators.
He was imprisoned; eventually
worked out to his benefit.
Terrorist / 9/11 attacks
Assassinated
4.
5.
6.
2nd Period
Used violent tactics for a noble
cause.
Tried to expunge Communism; in
doing so, innocent people were
hurt.
1.
2.
Malcolm X
McCarthy
3.
John Lennon
3.
4.
John Kennedy
4.
5.
Rasputin
5.
6.
George Wallace
6.
Trying to fight for equality for
races / shot at one of his
speeches.
7.
Nicholas Romanov
7.
Removed from power / executed
along with his entire family.
1.
2.
He was a member of Beatles /
shot and killed by a crazed fan
because of the fan’s ambition.
He was going to revolutionize
American values / was
assassinated.
Influenced Russia through the
Czar’s wife / sorcery / poisoned,
shot, and drowned.