Tung Vu
Support the statement “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” with reference from Macbeth.
Power is a tool that leader uses to get things done. When discussing about power and corruption, a British Lord Acton once wrote “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Many people disagree with Lord Acton on his assumption about power and corruption, while other people support it. In my opinion, people who argue that “power tends to corrupt” have three main arguments: human has a strong desire for power, power negatively affects one’s mind, and person with absolute power is beyond everything; which will be proved with the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
First and foremost, power-hungry is inside every human. Power is believed to make lives better. The Second Murderer in Macbeth says
“I am one, my
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Better be with the dead,
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave.
After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.”
(III.ii.18-26)
In the quote, readers can tell that the Macbeth used to think that they will have happiness when they become King and Queen. However, they realize that while the dead king peacefully rest in his grave, they have to deal with the troublesome consequences of their deed. The delusion that power brings happiness makes people crave for more power. They believes that the power they possess is not enough to make happiness so they need more. In other word, power magnifies the desire for power. Considering what Macbeth says before and after he becomes Thane of Cawdor can give a lot of evidence.
“The Thane of Cawdor lives.
Why you dress me in borrow’d robes?”
(I.iii.107-108)
And
“The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step On which I must fall down, or o’erleap,”
(I.v.48-49)
“Glamis, and Thane of
In the world today, the Greed for power is everywhere. Whether it is just south of our border or halfway across the world. In Macbeth, the Macbeth's Greed for power causes them to commit horrific crimes. In the First Act of the play Macbeth and his friend Banquo, a Scottish nobleman are greeted by three witches who give them prophecies. After Macbeth hears them his hunger for power strengthens and he says “This supernatural soliciting / cannot be ill; … My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical / shakes so my single state of man that function( I,3,140-150). In this quotation Macbeth thinks about how he can fulfill the third prophecy. his first instinct is to murder whoever is in his way. Macbeth's greed to be king and rule all of Scotland is shown for the first time during this quotation. In act 1 scene 7, Lady Macbeth attempts to guilt Macbeth into committing crimes for her own benefit. Her Greed for power and become Queen becomes very obvious in this quotation “ that made you break
Power Corrupts those who Possess it John Dalberg-Acton once said, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely”, this means that the more power that a person has the more corrupt the person will become. This statement is obviously correct especially if the person with absolute power has tendency towards corruption. The book, “Animal Farm”, by George Orwell, has many examples of how power is gate way to corrupt leaders because they have some tendencies towards corruption. Introduction Power corrupts those that possess it; this is a very important theme in Animal Farm.
Power is not inherently a bad tool, but it is when it is placed into the wrong hands. When or if it is placed in the wrong hands, it can corrupt the holder. Even if they do not have bad intentions, the power may corrupt them into using it for bad intentions. The quote stated by Machiavelli, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” is true because too much power can corrupt an individual’s thoughts and this can be proved through the book One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest written by Ken Kesey, and also the “Stanford Prison Experiment” which was conducted by Philip Zimbardo.
Personal power has the ability to be essential to greatness, and at the same time is able to destroy a person’s nature. In the drama Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character, Macbeth, becomes corrupt through power that he gains. The play shows that even someone who starts out like Macbeth and does not crave power, will do terrible things to gain authority and power.
Jack Feldman once wrote “Power tends to corrupt in absolute.” For the majority of society this is true, power is too much for most to responsibly manage. Power alone is not a corruptive tool, but it is often used selfishly or to provoke fear and violence.
Power can corrupt people. With great power, comes great responsibility. When given such great power, it is very possible to end up corrupting. The two stories, “The Man in the Well”, and “The Stanford Prison Experiment”, has power making people corrupt. Corruption could be a very serious problem when it comes to high powers.
Many people in today's society believe that they have to be on top in order to have power over people. So many people want power but only a few know how to handle it without letting it get to their heads. In the story “No Fear Shakespeare, Macbeth”, Macbeth became overly ambitious and wanted to do what it took to become king, even if that meant that he had to kill his own king for the throne. When someone is overly ambitious they will do anything and everything in their power to get what they
Power can change people in a way that is bewildering. Power can make anyone so eager to control, that he or she will be determined to get it, no matter what obstacle stands in their way. The Shakespearean play, Macbeth is a prime example of how power impacts an individual. Throughout the play, Macbeth faces a constant struggle for power, and his thirst for power leads to many unjust, and corrupt decisions, also if an individual obtains power, over time that power will alter one’s personality negatively.
The power helps people control resources and allows them to do whatever they want. When people have power they focus on trying to determine how people can help serve their interests and they fail to recognize their humanity. 2. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Why?
Power can have the persuasive action in undoing the moral ethics of one’s character. This can be seen throughout history, such as World War II and proven by the actions of Napoleon in the allegory, Animal Farm, by George Orwell. As Lord Acton said “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In history what was viewed as a villain or wrong doer is never the same as the perception. A leader does not begin wanting to do wrong, they start with the best intentions, but power is a tricky thing, showcased in Animal Farm as Utopian ideals but with failed practices.
On the morning of my sixteenth birthday I woke up so excited for the new freedom and power I was yet to experience. I planned on getting my license today and I had been waiting for so long to start driving.Over the years the question of ultimate power being corrupting has been contemplated. The answer is yes ultimate power is corrupting. It has been shown throughout history since time can tell many leaders and big figures become corrupt when given the opportunity of having a lot of power. The play “Macbeth” by Shakespeare accurately represents what happens when one is given power. Another example is Adolf Hitler and what he did when given ultimate power over Germany.
The statement, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely”, simply means that the more power one has – the more control one has over people – then the more corrupt it is possible for that person to become. This statement is certainly correct if the person with the power has certain proclivities towards corruption. There are many examples in the book, “Animal Farm”, by George Orwell, of power corrupting those in charge because they had these tendencies. In the story, the most powerful animals are the two pigs, Napoleon and, to a lesser degree, Snowball. During the course of the story these pigs used their power to get more power, and in the process their inclinations towards corruption triumphed. When Old Major, the boar who came
They say greed is the root of all evil. This is especially shown in Macbeth, the desire of power becomes an apparent symbol throughout the play. How does a man loyal to the king turn so easily from the slight temptation of the crown. After the murder of Duncan Macbeth is seen picturing an imaginary dagger, “Is this a dagger which I see before me,/ The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.” (2.1.33-34 Macbeth) Macbeth isn’t even seen remorseful for the cruel deed he just commits; to a man who he swore an oath of loyalty to. Macbeth shows signs of greed and gluttony as the infatuation of power settles in him throughout the plot.
I feel power corrupts because of how people think they can do whatever they want with it and also how they can get carried away with their problems. But before I get to all of my reasons I would like to first discuss of what power corrupt means.
Through the years, mankind has bit by bit been able to domain the World, and live in it as kings. Not everyone has been favored to live as kings, and govern others, instead, they live to serve, and watch others take control. What makes a person more powerful than another? A powerful person enjoys what others don't. In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, power is an essential need for specific characters, as the own Macbeth. An immoral problem affects Macbeth’s life, making him ambitious, to every time he aspirate for more. Depending on the needs, and weakness of certain characters is what define their willing to accomplish those needs that sometimes end by making huge mistakes. For accomplishing the essential goal of life, humans turns blind to