The effects of ambition can be split up into two categories- the effects of ambition on the protagonists and the effects of ambition on the supporting characters. The effects on the main characters differ greatly in the two pieces. In Macbeth, he says ‘we will proceed no further with this deed’, this is in response to discussing how they might carry out the murder to complete his ambition. So by saying this, he puts doubt into the reader’s mind as to whether he will complete the deed; and also it gives the reader an insight into the battle which is happening inside his head as to whether to do the deed or not. Shakespeare in the presentation of ambition through Lady Macbeth makes Macbeth look cowardly and ‘female’, so when Lady Macbeth taunts him sexually it has more effect ‘when you durst do it, then you were a man’. This makes Macbeth feel guilty as he is not manly enough to complete the task and so in the relationship Lady Macbeth becomes the driving force. This is important as it shows Macbeth’s inability to achieve his ambition by himself.
Whereas in Of Mice and Men, there is no on going struggle in George’s head about whether he has the mental strength and commitment to achieve his ambition, as the ambition is simple and so the effects of ambition on the protagonists are different. George changes little as a result of ambition but it could be said that he works harder as he realises what is at stake. Lennie likewise has little change as a result of ambition mainly because of his mental state as he is unaware of things happening around him.
On the other hand, there is a similarity between the two pieces, in both pieces, both of the protagonists are needed to help achieve there ambition. In Of Mice and Men, George realises he cannot raise the money to buy his small farm on his own and so enlists the help of Lennie: ‘And I get to tend the rabbits, An‘ you get to tend the rabbits’. This shows how the reward was also going to be shared which reflects how George acknowledges that he would’ve been unable to fulfil his ambition without Lennie. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth says ‘I laid their daggers ready’, this quotation shows how Macbeth had to rely on Lady Macbeth to help him complete his ambition, and proves that he wouldn’t have been able to fulfil his ambition without her.
Secondly, the effects of ambition on the characters in Of Mice and Men are varied and subtle. The presentation of ambition in Steinbeck’s piece is that of a dream, that may or may not come true. However because of the hope generated by this ‘dream’ things on the ranch operate in a different way from usual. For example, Crooks mistreated by most and consigned to live by himself, rediscovers the passion in life: ‘Come in and set a while’ this invitation from Crooks to Lennie is something that would never usually happen because of the tight society rules on segregation. So as a result of the hope generated from this ‘dream’ a new psychological atmosphere appears on the ranch.
This is slightly similar to Macbeth, as the effects are also very psychological. The process of committing the murder was chosen by Shakepeare, as it arouses deep feelings and psychological problems for Macbeth. Macbeth says before he commits the deed ‘We still have judgement here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague th’inventor’, the thought of what he is about to do has a clear psychological effect on him as he begins to think about what will happen to him on judgement day. So psychological effect are felt in both pieces.
So to conclude, the ambitions themselves are too different to be directly compared, but it is the causes, effects and portrayal of ambition that allow one to examine the difference between the two pieces. In Of Mice and Men, ambition can never be achieved; it is just a dream which one strives for. In Macbeth, ambition can be achieved but never enjoyed as Shakespeare never allows his characters to stop and enjoy their achievement.
