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Sophia Cabrera

Ms. Figueroa

Senior English Period 3

10 March 2019

Blind Ambition

Too much ambition can lead to many downfalls. Blind ambition is being determined to

accomplish a task while blocking out what’s happening around us. Being ambitious can be

positive yet negative depending on what the individuals ambitious for and who it may affect to Commented [f1]: comma

get to their goal. In the tragic play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, portrays blind

ambition through the character Macbeth. Macbeth was a Scottish soldier whose informed by

three witches who predict his future in becoming king. Macbeth will do anything to become Commented [f2]: what actions he took

king, which leads to his downfall. Macbeth’s universal theme of blind ambition is also seen in

todays society in fame, sex trafficking, and school shootings.

Jussie Smollet from a popular T.V. show was accused (hoax) of self-harm for ratings. An Commented [f3]: comma

associated press wrote, ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollet charged with faking attack on himself Commented [f4]: comma
Commented [f5]: no period at the end of T.V
states, “Whispers about Smollet’s potential role in the attack started with reports that he had not

fully cooperated with police and word that detectives in a city bristling with surveillance cameras

could not find video of the attack” (www.marketwatch.com). There was no evidence to justify Commented [f6]: name of author, article, or
website
that Jussie really was abused, rumors spread and even police were making accusations of Jussie

making this scene for publicity. Putting himself in harms way brought attention upon himself

which was spoken to be his main goal. Another blind ambitious person is Kim Kardashian, “…

her rise to online fame didn’t happen (entirely) overnight. It took careful planning, a little

scheming, and a business savvy mom who wasn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to transform her Commented [f7]: contractions
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family into reality T.V. royalty” (www.NickiSwift.com). Her fame began with the O.J. Simpson

murder trial, Kim’s pornography tape, and her famous wedding that followed up with an even

more famous divorce. Kim’s father Robert Kardashian was helping a “murderer” O.J. Simpson

also known to the public as a professional athlete. This brought attention among the family also

with hate. In the making of her fame she rose higher due to a sex tape made by Kim and another

celebrity. This is what shot through the rough and she had so much publicity since the tape.

Followed years after this, Kim met an NBA basketball player, Kris Humphries and only after a

year they got married. They were married for a short amount of time, just the amount of time to

contribute drama and more ratings to their reality T.V. show Keeping Up with The Kardashians.

Fame was the goal for Jussie and Kim, and no one was getting in the way of their spot light.

Many people can be ruthless to get what they want. This ruthless action can be sex

trafficking. Millions of people are being held captive and transported location to location by

heartless individuals that are money hungry. This illegal trade that is forced into sex trafficking is

mostly within the ages of 12 to 14 years old. Hearing this is heart breaking to families of victims

and traumatizing to the victims themselves. Justin Andress states, “This underground black

market destroys the lives of thousands of people, even as it pads the pockets of criminals with

more than $32 billion each year” (www.ranker.com). It is inhuman and cruel for such people to

run or even be apart of this type of business just for money. A sex trafficking survivor reveals

her story, it is unbearable to read, some might be triggered from her statement. Interviewed by

Rafael Romo, “She says up to 30 men a day, seven days a week, for the best part of four years-

43,200” (Romo, CNN). This isn’t a way of living nor running a business. These type of sex Commented [f8]: contractions

traffickers will do just about anything even if that means terrorizing ones live just to receive
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money. Not only has blind ambition been portrayed in sex trafficking but has been seen in school

shooters.

School shooters are mainly represented as the “anti-social” student at school that may

have an awful background or aspects in their life that lead to why they put others’ lives in

danger. Adam Lanza was responsible for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. There

were many conspiracies of what lead to this murderous rampage. In an interview some say,

“Adam Lanza was described early on by classmates as “fidgety” and “deeply troubled”.

According to some of his friends and family members, he had also been diagnosed with

Asperger’s syndrome” (www.biography.com). Due to Adams character, it is found in studies that

most people that are sought out like himself don’t like to see the joy of those around Lanza.

Enforcing the saying “If I’m not happy, no one will be”. Another similar scenario is the High Commented [f9]: commas before quotes

School Florida Shooting involving Nikolas Cruz. Nikolas had a troubled life with his family and

classmates. “Nikolas’ personal goal is to [be] mainstreamed to his home high school”

(www.sunsentinel.com). He couldn’t handle being at the school he was currently enrolled. In his

worlds he didn’t “fit in” and wasn’t “normal”. Cruz went through foster homes and had many

illnesses. His goal was to seek revenge for whoever bullied him and took the happiness he

should’ve received like the other “normal students”, resulting in his murderous outrage.

All in all, not only can the theme, blind ambition be portrayed in Macbeth, but in fame,

sex trafficking, and school shooters. Jussie Smollet and Kim Kardashians scandals of events

brought themselves to fame no matter if it hurt themselves mentally/physically or gave either of

them a bad reputation. The black market in sex trafficking is mostly concerned about how they

will make their next income and are careless of whose life they have to destroy to accomplish it.

Lastly people like Adam and Nikolas will never find their happiness and tormented the lives of Commented [f10]: comma
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others because their lives weren’t as what they hoped. Blind ambition can hurt the people around

including oneself. For example, in Macbeth, Macbeth will kill anyone in his way to become

king. As if Donald Trump were to run for president again and was determined to win, he’d do

anything in his power to get more votes.

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Works Cited

“Adam Lanza Biography.” Www.biography.com, A&E Television Networks, 2 Apr. 2014,

www.biography.com/people/adam-lanza-21068899.

Andress, Justin. “13 Human Trafficking Survivors Tell Their Heartbreaking Stories.”
Www.ranker.com, CNN News. Commented [f11]: hanging indent

“‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollet Charged with Faking Attack on Himself.”

Www.marketwatch.com, Mixed Editor, 20 Feb. 2019.

Swift, Nicki. “The Story behind Kim Kardashian's Fame.” Www.NickiSwift.com.

Wallman, Brittany. “A Lost and Lonely Killer.” Www.sunsentinel.com, 24 Feb. 2018.