Macbeth Human Ambition Analysis

The Destructive Force of Human Ambition In Shakespearean time and within his plays, ambition was viewed as a downfall in character and a defiance to human nature. In today’s world, ambition is viewed as a respectable attribute in both males and females. Yet, In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the destructive force of ambition transcends time. Although centuries apart, Macbeth, a noble who wants to seize the position of King, and Tonya Harding, a figure skater who wants to win an Olympic gold, are two examples of ambition, its misuses and consequences. Through Macbeth’s murderous rise to power and Tonya Harding’s shocking scandal in the figure skating world, what began as an ambitious desire to reach

Like Macbeth and his renowned bravery, Harding was revered in the elite competitive skating world for her incredible talent on the ice and for her superb athleticism, making history for being the first woman to do a triple axel (I, Tonya). Her ambition was to win the world championship and to go on to win gold in the Olympics. Days before the U.S Women’s Championships, and weeks prior to the 1994 Winter Games, her fellow competitor and rival, Nancy Kerrigan, was bludgeoned just above her right knee. The doctor who treated Kerrigan reported that the assailant “was clearly trying to debilitate her” (New York Times). It would later be known the assailant was hired by Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. With Kerrigan injured, Harding was able to secure gold at the championships and a spot at the Olympics. The attack rattled the figure skating world and attracted international attention, as many people believed Tonya Harding had attempted to sabotage her teammate to ensure her own success at the Olympics. It could be said, like Macbeth, Harding had disturbed the natural order of the international figure skating world; nothing like this had ever happened before and it changed the sport’s image forever. Harding later pleaded guilty to conspiring to hinder the prosecution, during the federal criminal investigation. However, six months after the attack, the U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) conducted its own investigation in relation to Harding’s involvement in the attack. Panel chairman William Hybl, announced its decision: "By a preponderance of the evidence, the five members of the panel concluded that she had prior knowledge and was involved prior to the incident,"(Washington Post). Following their investigation, Harding was stripped of her 1994 U.S. Championship title and was permanently banned from all USFSA events as a skater and coach. Ultimately, destructive