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Examples Of Absolute Power In Macbeth

Decent Essays

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 …show more content…

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

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