Ambition

A strong desire to achieve success, status or power. In Macbeth, ambition becomes destructive when gaining and protecting power takes priority over morality.

A strong desire to achieve something, such as status or power. In Macbeth, this becomes destructive when it overrides moral responsibilities.

Ambition is a desire to achieve something. Shakespeare’s Macbeth explores what happens when the desire for advancement becomes more important than loyalty, kindness and moral judgement. Macbeth gains the crown, but the pursuit of it destroys much of what could make success worthwhile: peace, friendship, love and eventually life itself.

A strong desire for advancement, achievement or authority. In Julius Caesar, characters dispute when ambition becomes a threat to public freedom.

Distinguish ambition from power: ambition is the desire to gain or secure a position; power is the authority a character holds.

Link context to a specific moment: explain how beliefs about divine order sharpen the significance of Macbeth’s ambition.

Build an argument about what ambition promises and what it costs, rather than listing ambitious characters or retelling Victor’s experiment.

A strong desire to achieve something. In Frankenstein, ambition can involve discovery and helping humanity, but also personal glory and power.

A strong desire to achieve something. In Great Expectations, Pip’s ambitions include education, social advancement and winning Estella’s love.

A strong desire to achieve success, status or power. In Macbeth, ambition becomes destructive when achieving and protecting power takes priority over conscience and loyalty.

Ambition is a strong desire to achieve something. In Macbeth, Shakespeare explores what happens when the desire for greatness overrides moral responsibility. Macbeth begins as a respected soldier whose service earns him honour.

The desire to gain success, power or a higher position.

A strong desire to achieve something, such as knowledge, success or a higher social position.

A strong desire to achieve something, often involving success, distinction or power.

A strong desire to achieve something. In Great Expectations, Pip's ambition changes from seeking status and Estella's approval towards earning a living and behaving responsibly.

In Great Expectations, Pip wants to become more educated, escape the forge and win Estella's admiration. These ambitions seem to promise a better life. Yet Dickens gradually separates rising in the world from becoming a better person.

A strong desire to achieve success, status or power. In Macbeth, ambition becomes destructive when gaining and keeping power matters more than conscience.

Ambition is a strong desire to achieve success, status or power. Shakespeare's Macbeth explores what happens when that desire becomes more important than loyalty, kindness and moral judgement. Macbeth gains the crown he wants, but the achievement brings fear rather than satisfaction.

The desire to gain something, such as greater power, wealth or social position.

Definition

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AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720