Ambition In The Alchemist

“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them,” -Napolean Bonaparte. These words by the famous man hold great meaning and knowledge. This is a charateristc that holds the focus of many studies, debates, and people; but like Bonaparte said, it can serve it’s master for the better, or become a huge hinderance to everyone around it. Ambition, a force that drive humans and animals alike to achieve more, is addressed in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Jeffery Kluger’s article, “Ambition: Why Some People Are Most Likely to Succeed”, and in W. H. Auden’s poem “Musee des Beaux Arts”, as having both positive effects, such as increased

The first of one of the aspects, is suffering, emotionally and physically. Paulo Coelho writes about a boy seeking his Personal Legend but is anxious nearing the end because his “...heart is afread that it will have to suffer...Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.” (137). The boy, Santiago realizes the downfall of being ambitious and taking risks in life. If his venture is unsuccessful, then he will suffer greatly in his heart and soul. Another example of suffering because of ambition can be found in Kluger’s article about ambition, in

Coelho gifts a great example of this accelerated focus in his short novel; as Santiago sits on a bench he meets an old man who claims to be a king helping Santiago to achieving his Personal Legend, after the king ask for a part of Santiago’s flock to help he shares the widom with the boy that, “If you start out by promising wat you don’t have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work toward getting it,” (25). Santiago learns that he has to give up what he owns and knows to aspire to his Personal Legend. After giving away some sheep to the king, and selling the rest of his flock, he sees he now has to work to earn his Legend and takes on the quest with a new focus and determination. Later, Santiago reflects on his journey and what it took to make it where he is thinking that, “It’s true; life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny,...” (176). This epiphinay presented by Santiago , as he comes to the conclusion of his Personal Legend, and after working through all his obstacles and blessings, he becomes much wiser and his ambition and paid off. His focus from the start, and determination that pushed him throught the hard times, brought Santiago to his treasure and life takes his side in the pursuit of happiness. Another literary work that discusses ambition is the “Musee des Beaux Arts” poem by W. H. Auden, and shows