Examples Of Power Corrupts That Led To The Downfall Of Macbeth

Power corrupts and signifies the difference between a King and a Tyrant. Kings refer to noble, honorable, and trust worthy men who have ambition for the benefit of others, but some turn to become vicious snakes in desperate need for power and leadership at the expense of others.

How do ambitious leaders fall to their tragic flaws through development of power and leadership?

Ambition; a dangerous quality possessed by Macbeth that triggered his downfall and abolished his honorable innocence. Macbeth’s ambition caused Macbeth to participate in ruthless acts, bringing the death of many due to his greed of self-indulgence. Macbeth strived heavily for the thrown, inhabiting vicious traits that contributed to his ambitious death and failure as a leader. For a leader to be

prosperous they must possess qualities and traits that contribute to their power for the better.

Honesty, confidence, commitment, and diligence are all leadership assets that can differentiate the difference between a leader and a tyrant. Macbeth retained the individualities but unfortunately portrayed them in a devious manner that in the end was not beneficial for him or others. Macbeth says, “To know my deed ‘twere best not to know myself.” Referencing how in order for Macbeth to deal with his first murder he must first overlook his conscience; furthermore, this perception contributed to Macbeth’s tragedy due to ambition and ethical thinking. His notion implied that having no conscience altered the guilt and in-humane action accomplished. A successful leader has perseverance, honesty, and possesses a conscience and humane ethical thinking, things in which Macbeth did not acquire. Macbeth says, "I have no spur, to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which

o'erleaps itself, and falls on th'other." In this Macbeth’s only option for justification is his vaulting ambition which to him will rationalize his murder of King Duncan. The only incentive Macbeth had to inspire the murder was his distinct and overly ambitious desire for power, yet another example for his tragic downfall that disqualifies him from being a noble and honorable leader.

In life there are two options: Use ambition for the better, or for the worse. At a young age Adolf Hitler had the ambition to become an Art student but he failed twice when attempting to enter the Academy of fine Arts. Adolf’s ambitions transformed as he grew older, gradually furthering to more dangerous and in-humane determinations that conspired the holocaust, where over five million Jews were systematically murdered. Hitler’s determination for power and domination caused him to live in a non-realistic world that caused him to lose numerous battles in World War II due to his belief that determination of his soldiers would be honored on the battle field, refusing to retreat which caused him to fail his own soldiers and country as a leader and as a soldier in charge. Hitler’s logic is very ruthless and brutal. He signified no ethical thinking; Hitler’s main thoughts were to keep striving until one could no longer strive. Adolf Hitler said,
"The earth continues to go round, whether it's the man who kills the tiger or the tiger who eats the man. The stronger asserts his will; it's the law of nature. The world doesn't change; it's eternal."
This portraying how either way, corrupt behavior is bound to happen, that one way or another the world will continue to spin, disregarding the fact that with every action there's either a downfall or a rise. His insights proclaimed that life can be seen as either kill, or be killed. A perception he took into his ambitious hands where he rised to kill for power. Hitler’s ambition caused him hatred of others, initiating for him to become an object for conquest. In a letter General Erich Ludendorff directly articulates, "By appointing Hitler as Chancellor of the Reich, you have delivered our holy German fatherland into the hands of one of the greatest demagogues of all time. I solemnly prophesy to you that this unholy man will cast our country into the abyss, and bring our nation into immeasurable misery. Future generations will curse you in your grave, for what you have done."
This is a direct depiction of how Hitler was tremendously detested by others and how he would cause a nation to suffer, just like Macbeth he was disliked for his powerful thinking and actions. Ambition in turn caused people to have ambition to stop Hittlers and Macbeth’s dangerous state of mind and behavior.