Mr Grabham ENG4U Unit1

Ambition & Honour

Academic Paragraphs Ambition and Honour are central themes in the play we are about to study: William Shakespeares Macbeth. Below are three quotes that focus directly on each theme and were written hundreds of years ago. Your task is to read through the quotations below, choose one quote for each theme and write two academic paragraphs (150-200 words) discussing the meaning of the quote and explaining its relevance to society today. Paragraph One: Ambition Ambition destroys its possessor. The Talmud: Yoma, 86b. As he was valiant, I honour him; but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. William Shakespeare (Julius Caesar) Avarice, ambition, lust etc. are nothing but species of madness. Benedict Spinoza (17th Century) Paragraph Two: Honour An honourable murderer, if you will; For nought I did in hate, but all in honour. William Shakespeare (King Lear 1605) To die with honour when one can no longer live with honour. John Luther Long (20th Century, Madame Butterfly) DutyHonourCountry. These three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be. They build your basic character. They teach you to have a heart that is clean, a goal that is high. General Douglas MacArthur (1962, U.S. General)