Q: Bacon’s essay “Of Ambition” is critically expressed into a pure ambitious person.
“Of
Ambition” is an argumentative essay by "the
father of English essay" Francis Bacon who was
an influential figure in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The
essay was first published in 1625. In the course of the essay, “Ambition” is
something that induces a manner and a spirit to achieve something in his life.
Such ambitiousness can be beneficial as well as harmful. Bacon deals
with the topic purely on political merits and demerits. During the time of the
essay's writing, England was
understanding significant, political and cultural changes.
It was a time of transition from the Renaissance to the early modern
period which was marked by exploration and colonization.
In an Important Segment, Bacon cites
the example of the Roman emperor, Tiberius who used
Macro to pull down Sejanus. He starts his essay with
the definition of ambition; using a simile, he says, “Ambition
is like choler”; “choler” is a physiological word. According to Bacon, this ambition is not harmful as compared to
other ambitions. The second category contains those people, who try to build an image among people. There
is another category, which is
harmful to kings but useful to people. His essay is a
manifestation of worldliness which
underlines the importance of intelligence in the course of handling an
ambitious man.
At the beginning of the thesis, Bacon compares
"Ambition" with “choler”, which
is an humour that makes men shake, active, and alert. Moreover,
Ambitious person can be secretly discontent if they are checked in their
desires. After all, Bacon expresses, "It is
good for princes, if they use ambitious men, to handle it, so as they be still
progressive and not retrograde." So, therefore, there is
an ambitious man, Macro who is used for pulling down to Sejanus. In
addition, Quintus Macro (21-38BC) was a prefect of the Praetorian Guard, from 31BC
until 38BC, serving under the Roman
Emperors Tiberius and Caligula.
Bacon outs, "There
is less danger of them, if they are of mean birth than if they be noble; and
they be harsh of nature, than gracious popular."
At least, a prince may animate and inure some manner person to be scourage, an
ambitious man. In manner, he is talking about the securities of the State, yet
he is promoting selfishness. Bacon is
advising the kings and princes to use a person (ambitious person) and throw him
for a loop. It touches on the idea that leaders may exploit ambitious
individuals for their own benefit, prioritise the stability of the state over
the well-being of specific individuals.
He shows, "Of
Ambition, it is less harmful, the ambition to prevail in great things than that
other, to appear in everything for that breeds confusion, and mars business."
The context emphasizes a distinction between constructive ambition aimed at
significant achievements and a potentially disruptive ambition driven by the
desire for constant visibility. An ambitious person must be stirring in
business that a great dependence. He
seeks to be eminent amongst able men.
In the last paragraph of the
treatise, the author expresses that honor has three important things, "the
Vantage ground to do good; the approach to kings and principal person; and the
raising of man's own fortunes." The overview suggests
that honor is not only a moral or social concept but also a strategic asset
that can lead to positive actions, influential connections, and personal success. In the
end, he elicits that princes and states choose such ministers, who are
more sensible than rising.
Throughout the essay, It is worth
mentioning that the approach of Sir Francis Bacon in “Of
Ambition” is entirely mean and full of selfishness. Bacon opens
the essay by associating ambition with this fluid choler that has the quality
of making people restless and irritable to do some actions. An ambitious man
can serve as a protective shield for the king in the face of danger
and hostility. His essay is a manifestation of Bacon’s
worldliness which underlines the importance of intelligence in course of handling
an ambitious man.
To conclude, Bacon's essay
"Of Ambition" delves into the
complexities and consequences of one's desire for power and success. It
emphasizes the dual nature of ambition, portraying it as both a driving force
for achievement and a potential source of corruption. He advises that ambition should
be tempered with virtue and moral considerations to avoid negative
consequences. Moreover, Bacon highlights the ephemeral nature
of worldly success. In his conclusion, he underscores the transitory and uncertain
nature of power and position. However, scholars and critics
such as Harold Bloom, Stephen Jay Greenblatt, and Jonathan
Dollimore have written extensively on Bacon's essays, which are exploring
themes, rhetorical strategies, and the philosophical underpinnings of his
works.
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