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Macbeth and power corruption
The corrupting influence of power in macbeth
Power and corruption in macbeth
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21 Century Macbeth
The corruption of power in today’s world can harm many people and things it come in contact with. For example, Donald J Trump. A man guided by his own self interest, who cares about only himself and power. Another iconic piece of corruption of power is at least one of the best plays Sir William Shakespeare has made….Macbeth. In Macbeth Corruption of power is a key thing that people often fall into when they are given a taste. Like relating back to what I was saying earlier about Donald J Trump, he gave into power too easily and he let the power manipulate him and his decisions. In this essay, I will be talking about how the corruption of power and its affects on us in today's society. Using proof from the Macbeth play,
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and pop culture, and past events. Firstly, when I am talking about what the corruption of power it’s basically if you're given something or too much of something that you can handle, it will start to take over your mindset.
so relating to that, it’s like basically me giving you power over this certain amount of people, and that power will get to your head, through your thoughts, and will drive you to be a power hungry person. A quote that backs up what I am talking about was made by an important character Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth. She says , “ look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it. ( Act 1 scene 5 line 72-73). This is a significant quote made by Lady Macbeth because, it represents power perfectly. For example, when she talks about being like the flower, it can be interpreted for power being this beautiful thing that everyone wants, but the next line of the quote talks about power actually being disguised as a serpent. Now back then in Macbeth era where the story takes place, it talks about how the snake is an unholy creature/devil, or being very shady in its ways. This quote really demonstrates the reality of power in our society today. A Quote from John Steinbeck talks about, it's not that power corrupts people it is the fear of losing that power that corrupts people and when I first saw this quote I was a little like blown back that the corruption of power does not have an actual people and now it's the fear that corrupt the people. So in this case power corrupts a person's fear
which corrupts their mindset to keep that power. Secondly, the themes connection to today's society, relates to us for these reasons. For example, Lord of the Rings, most iconic for its theme of power and corruption. In the movie, there is one ring to rule them all, the ring of power. Throughout the movie this ring gives the addiction of power to certain people which drives each character to a point of insanity, which corrupts him/herself and everyone around them to chaos. How does this relate to today’s society? Well this a very good example of how someone can fall in the trap of power, it doesn’t matter how strong or good a person you are. Even Macbeth fell to power, although he was a humble warrior, brave, and a good person. In conclusion, the theme “Power Corrupts”, does relate to our society in today's world. In other words, Shakespeare's work is timeless. If it wasn't, the industry wouldn’t keep Shakespeare in the school curriculum. We would have forgotten the innovator of slang a long time ago. Without Shakespeare the English language wouldn’t be the same, would it.
What is power to a human? As time has gone by, there have been many forms of control and influence in the world. Many strive to achieve total rule over a society or group of individuals. Yet the question still presents itself to the average man. Why does man desire power so greatly even though there is visible trouble that follows? Shelley’s Frankenstein, Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”, and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, whether through the situation or the character themselves, depict the evils and hardships due to an imbalance and poor management of power.
Throughout The Tragedy of Macbeth, we see Macbeth change from a noble and brave soldier into a mere shadow of his former self. We meet Macbeth after a battle, the result of which has him named Thane of Cawdor. From this position, he falls to a paranoid man willing to do anything to remain in power. We can see his deterioration from the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth's second meeting with the witches, his treatment of Macduff's castle and his mental condition just before he is murdered.
People who have a desire for power will do anything to get their, even if it means allowing their closest ones to get hurt or them. Sometimes they gain power or do not, but when the person in power has too many expectations as a normal King they lose control which is called a "power struggle". Lady Macbeth has a desire for power over King Duncan. Lady Macbeth uses the power she gained by manipulating her husband to commit murder and rule the Kingdom of Scotland with her husband. She loses her mind by realizing what she has done, by allowing her husband become paranoid killing people who can become a threat to the kingdom except for his family and she also loses her life because she would rather die when she is strong instead of weak later on
“In the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding on the back of the tiger ended up inside.”
Unfortunately, it corrupts if it is not restrained. In Macbeth, Shakespeare effectively uses the characters of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to underscore their struggles for power. Their hunger for power is the determining factor for their destructions. Lady Macbeth longs for power, and hopes to get it by manipulating her husband to kill his own cousin. While Macbeth kills Duncan and becomes king, she fails to realize her husband’s obsession with power exceeds her. Her role in the play fades; in the end, she suffers from sleepwalking and insanity. As for Macbeth, he transforms from a honourable and respectable man to a monster as a result of his thirst for power. Not only does he betray Duncan’s trust, but he also hires murderers to kill Banquo as well as and innocent people like Macduff’s wife and son. Like Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s ambition results in his demise when he is killed by Macduff when they finally meet in a battle. Indeed, power is destructive. The downfall of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth is indicative that power is like cancer. Sooner or later, it destroys human judgment and turns humans into
Power. It is defined as the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. Throughout time, certain individuals have acquired power in their society as a way to govern and keep order among their community. Power is not a new concept; it was used in the past by many emperors, kings, and queens, and is still being used by presidents, prime ministers, and dictators. Although, it has been used to further progress societies into what the world is like today, not all power has been used for the best of mankind. But what goes awry to make power turn corrupt? In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, it is illustrated how power can turn corrupt, when authoritative figures, who possess power, abuse it for their personal gain, rather than for the common good of the society.
An idea such as power establishes itself in most societies throughout the world. Power sets the basis for order and civilization, but it also causes chaos and collides with other human instincts such as greed and ambition. Power presents itself in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in a confusing manner. Macbeth yearns to gain power and has the means to gain it, but the method of his gaining of power have been questioned by critics since its inscription in 1623. Macbeth, while tyrannical in gaining his power in the murdering of Duncan, sets the premise of the story and in this murder makes a name for himself on his leadership qualities. A man’s gain of power should not determine who they are as a ruler or even
"Authority poisons everybody who takes authority upon himself" (Vladimir Ilyich Lenin). This could easily be a comment on the story of Macbeth where an apparently respected Scottish couple have the opportunity to seize the highest authority, take it, and in doing so, poison themselves and their country. In Macbeth, the play's theme is the strife created by the wrongful seizure of power and the corruption of morals of those who acquire power by evil means. Power can be good or bad depending on the hands that it falls into. The dilemma with power that has been accomplished by immoral behavior, foul means, is that when you finally manage to attain it, it will always bring insecurity, bring the thoughts that your power will be taken from you, that your crime will be discovered. Corrupt power corrupts, power that's gained by immoral behavior, and having a desire for power solely for it's own sake is corrupt in itself. Lady Macbeth had this desire and, later, so did Macbeth. Shakespeare saw kingship like a mirror of God's rule on earth. Just rule brought happiness to the country and it reflected in harmony amongst nature. Bad kingship had the opposite affect. The play Macbeth is not only about the downfall of one man but the entirety of man and nature.
It is in human nature that the more power one desires the more corrupt actions one must do to attain it. In Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth, a Scottish noble's craving for power leads him to do terrible deeds that leads to his demise. Shakespeare shows that power corrupts by using Macbeth who corrupts under the thought of have power over others. Macbeth becomes corrupt under the thought of becoming king and gaining almost complete control over the people that he rules. Macbeth wants the power badly enough to do horrible deeds such as commit regicide. Lady Macbeth becomes very ambitious and allows herself to become seduced to the idea of becoming Queen. Her ruthlessness urges Macbeth to commit regicide by questioning his love for her and his own manhood.
The vigorous desire to achieve and willingly attain something holds the capability to greatly affect one's life. William Shakespeare's play Macbeth establishes the immense effect and influence of ambition. After gaining power over his country Scotland, the protagonist, Macbeth, experiences an internal downfall as he battles between his wants and moral judgement. He struggles to maintain stable relationships with others as his selfish desires and goals hurt those around him when achieved. In addition to clashing with himself and others, he is seen as a tyrant leader and is slowly turned against by Scotland's nation as well as England. Shakespeare's play Macbeth provides the reader with a clear understanding of ambition's corrupting power in Shakespeare's tragic character Macbeth, through his inner conflicts, struggle to maintain stable relationships with those surrounding him, and clash with society.
Characters have played a large role in setting the theme of abusive power; they gain power over a group of individuals and misguide them. One obvious example from Lord Of the Flies was Jack. Towards the beginning of the novel, when the “elections” for the leader of the group took place Jack tried to get power. “‘I ought to be chief,’ said Jack with simple arrogance, ‘because I’m the chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp’” (Golding 22). After losing the election to Ralph, he became the head of the hunters. Here he abused the miniscule powers given to him over the small group of boys formerly known as the “choir”. Jack’s influence possibly corrupted the minds of the young boys and made them into cold blooded killers going from killing pigs for food to harming humans for enjoyment. “The circle moved round. Robert squealed in mock terror then in real pain… Jack had him by the hair and was brandishing his knife.” (Golding 114). The significance of this was that it was the first major point that lead to the collapse of society on the island. Jack thought that Ralph did not appreciate what he was doing for the group by gett...
Power can lead to either great things or a tragic ruin. Sadly, it is more often that power leads to a dark, desolate place. Many leaders are easily corrupted by the power they are granted. When power falls into the wrong hands, then disaster is just around the corner. The corrupted leaders typically don’t last long in their position and bring themselves down quickly. People tend to take advantage of the power because they are given power overnight and don’t know the best way to handle it. The lust for power is where the corruption begins. Throughout history, it is clear that when one gains power for the wrong reasons, they don’t use the power wisely. Power corrupts is a theme clearly seen in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Hamlet, and Animal Farm.
To become powerful, is to become corrupt, and The Tragedy of Macbeth is a prime example. In William Shakespeare's tragic tale, a young nobleman soon becomes corrupt when he is given the opportunity to become king. His need for power and safety drives him to corruption, ultimately killing off anyone who stands in his path: innocent or not. Throughout the play, many characters portray the impact power has on a relationship: Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, Banquo and Macbeth, Macduff and Macbeth and many more. While all these characters were affected by power in the play, Banquo and Macbeth's relationship best demonstrates the effect of power.
Power is a person’s capacity to influence and control. In Shakespeare’s time and in the modern world, power is something that is sought by many people. When used for good, power can inspire change, help society and unify a nation. However, in William Shakespeare’s play King Lear, it is a force strong enough to turn family against each other, and drive people mad. Goneril and Regan are corrupted by the power their father gives them. Edmund is corrupted by the power of his new position, Earl, and King Lear is blinded by his belief that he is the all-powerful King. The greed for power, plays an extensive role in the play because it corrupts most of the villainous characters and ultimately leads them to their demise.
The Corrupting Power of Unchecked Ambition The main theme of Macbeth - the destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints - finds its most powerful expression in the play's two main characters. Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement. He kills Duncan against his better judgment and afterward stews in guilt and paranoia. Toward the end of the play, he descends into a kind of frantic, boastful madness.