Ambition Flashcards
Ferdinand and the Cardinal’s Ambition for Control (Act 1, Scene 1):
From the beginning, Ferdinand and the Cardinal exhibit a strong ambition to control their sister, the Duchess, and her estate. Their desire to keep her from remarrying stems from their fear of losing influence and power. Ferdinand’s line highlights his ambition to maintain control over her choices and, by extension, her wealth and status.
“I would not have her marry again,”
Bosola’s Ambition for Advancement (Act 1, Scene 1):
Bosola, initially a malcontent, reveals his ambition for social advancement and recognition. He is willing to serve Ferdinand and the Cardinal in hopes of being rewarded for his services. His line demonstrates his willingness to compromise his morality to achieve his ambitions and gain favour with those in power.
“I am your creature,”
The Duchess’s Ambition for Love and Independence (Act 1, Scene 3):
The Duchess displays a different form of ambition—her desire for personal happiness, love, and independence. She defies her brothers’ orders and societal expectations by secretly marrying Antonio, driven by her ambition to live authentically and fulfil her own desires. She asserts her autonomy with her line, reflecting her ambition to defy social norms and pursue her happiness.
“I winked and chose a husband,”
Ferdinand’s Ambition for Revenge and Control (Act 2, Scene 5):
Ferdinand’s ambition takes a darker turn when he learns of the Duchess’s secret marriage and children with Antonio. He becomes obsessed with revenge and controlling his sister’s fate, displaying a pathological ambition to dominate her even to the point of destruction. His line reveals his obsessive ambition to uncover and punish those who defy his authority
“Till I know who leaps my sister, I’ll not stir,”
The Cardinal’s Ambition for Power and Manipulation (Throughout the Play):
The Cardinal consistently demonstrates ambition through his manipulation and cunning, seeking to maintain his power and influence in both the court and the church. His ambition is evident in his secretive manoeuvres, such as when he tells Julia to spy for him or uses Bosola to execute his plans. His line underscores his ambition to preserve his family’s status and power
“Shall our blood, / The royal blood of Aragon and Castile, / Be thus attainted?”
Bosola’s Shift from Ambition to Disillusionment (Act 4, Scene 2):
Bosola’s ambition for advancement initially drives him to become a tool for Ferdinand and the Cardinal’s schemes. However, after witnessing the horrors he helps perpetrate, such as the Duchess’s murder, his ambition begins to shift toward a desire for redemption and justice. He reflects on his ambitions, showing his growing awareness of the futility and destructiveness of his prior ambitions
“We are merely the stars’ tennis balls, struck and banded / Which way please them,”
The Duchess’s Ambition for Honour in Death (Act 4, Scene 2):
In the face of death, the Duchess exhibits a final form of ambition—her desire to die with dignity and honour. Her ambition is not for power but for maintaining her integrity. She states, “I am Duchess of Malfi still,” showing her resolve to hold on to her identity and honour despite the forces arrayed against her
“I am Duchess of Malfi still,”
At the beginning of Book 9, Satan’s soliloquy reveals his relentless ambition to corrupt God’s creation—Adam and Eve. His ambition is driven by his desire to take revenge against God by making humanity fall as he did. He reflects on his purpose, “What though the field be lost? / All is not lost—the unconquerable will, / And study of revenge, immortal hate, / And courage never to submit or yield.” His ambition to overthrow God’s plans and spread chaos is evident in his manipulative approach to tempting Eve
“What though the field be lost? / All is not lost—the unconquerable will, / And study of revenge, immortal hate, / And courage never to submit or yield.”
Disguised as a serpent, Satan tempts Eve by appealing to her ambition for knowledge and power. He suggests that eating the forbidden fruit will elevate her status, making her “as Gods.” Satan’s ambition is not only to corrupt Eve but also to elevate himself by leading humanity into rebellion against God. His manipulation and cunning show his ambitious desire to subvert the divine order and assert his own power
“as gods”
Eve’s ambition is displayed when she contemplates the serpent’s persuasive argument about the forbidden fruit. She reflects on the possibility of becoming “a Goddess among Gods” and gaining wisdom and knowledge that could rival that of God and Adam. Her inner thoughts reveal her ambition to elevate herself beyond her current state, displaying the human desire for advancement and power: “For good unknown, sure is not had, or had / And yet unknown, is as not had at all.”
“a Goddess among Gods”
Eve’s ambition culminates in her decision to eat the forbidden fruit. She is motivated by the desire to transcend her current state of being, as well as curiosity and the ambition to gain forbidden knowledge. She reasons, her ambition overrides her obedience to God, leading to the original sin that causes the Fall
“And what are gods that man may not become / As they, participating Godlike food?”
After Eve eats the forbidden fruit and falls from grace, Adam is faced with a choice. His ambition is not for power or knowledge, but rather to remain united with Eve, demonstrating the complex nature of ambition as a force that can drive both good and tragic actions. His thought, shows his ambition to preserve their bond, even at the cost of his obedience to God.
“How can I live without thee, how forgo / Thy sweet converse and love so dearly joined,”
