Power Corrupts. Let Me Prove It.
You may have heard the phrase, “power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely,” a quote by a 19th century British Politician, Lord Acton. There are many prime examples that portray this idea, not only throughout literature, but also throughout history, and even life in general. Marcus Antony, Adolf Hitler, and Donald Trump are three people who can easily support this concept.
To begin, Marcus Antony of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is an immaculate example of the idea that power corrupts, while absolute power corrupts absolutely. Prior to Caesar’s death in the play, Antony was a mellow character who seemed to just cheer Caesar on, and he was not typically seen as a threat, nor a good leader. However, following the death of Caesar, Antony quickly gained the support of the Plebians and became their ruler. He initially planned to share the throne with two other men, Octavius and Lepidus, although this plan quickly changed. As Antony discusses a new plan with Octavius, referring to Lepidus, Antony states “Is it fit, the threefold world divided, he should stand one of the three to share it?” (Shakespeare 4.1. 13-14). Clearly, Antony was given some significant amount of power, and is now open to abusing it. Antony continues to clarify that it is in the best interest of the two to eliminate Lepidus after using him first. Apparently, as Antony’s power grows, his morality and beliefs appear to be fading away. This obviously
It isn't true that power corrupts automatically. In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Macbeth rises to power. However he does this in a corrupt fashion, and when he achieves his power he must maintain it was by killing any that could take it from him. However, Malcom son of king Duncan, takes away Macbeths power but instead of killing others to keep his power Malcom rewards his companions. It is not power itself that corrupts, but the method that you use to achieve it.
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.
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
Another example of how power corrupts is seen through Josef Mengele a Nazi physician who became so influenced by power that he no longer had concern for how he affected other people. In the beginning, Mengele was simply an ordinary physician who "...had
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This illustrates the theme in the historical play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Julius Caesar was a man full of arrogance and he had a sense of being self-absorbed. This kind of personality lead to bad things, it eventually led to death. Caesar was a well-known man in Rome. The people of Rome didn 't care what he did. Everyone thought he was perfect. I ii 273 He was married to a woman named Calpurnia. She lived in Rome. At the beginning of the play, Caesar just had defeated Pompey. I i 53 Some of the people in Rome knew that Caesar was getting into deep trouble. Brutus had to make a big decision towards the end. Everyone wanted Brutus to kill Caesar because he was never going to change his personality. He didn 't know what he should do, he didn 't know what is best for Rome.
Throughout The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, three men in particular have an extensive impact on each occurring event due to their dynamic characteristics. Known as Antony, Brutus, and Cassius, these men share various similarities. One obvious characteristic that each possesses is power. Although it may be used in different ways, Antony, Brutus, and Cassius all value the power of being heard by the people of Rome. When the people of Rome favor one man over the others, he may appear more desirable compared to the other men, resulting in the competition for power.
First, in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, all power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. For example, in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Flavius says,“Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about and drive away the vulgar from the streets.” (1.1.71-72). To clarify, Caesar is being celebrated because Pompey has just been defeated and Romans are celebrating but Flavius does not like Caesar's actions. Furthermore, after the death of Caesar one could concur that his final will was an act of corruption. For instance, when Antony reads Caesar’s will Antony reads, “Here is the will, and under Caesar’s seal: to every Roman citizen he gives, to every several man, seventy-five drachmas.” (3.2.243-25). Caesar leaving money to every citizen demonstrates he might want the citizens to rebel over his death. In conclusion, Caesar became corrupt because of the power he gained.
Power is the ultimate goal of many throughout their life. If power is taken advantage of it
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.
The tragic and untimely death of Julius Caesar, a condemned Roman tyrant, triggered William Shakespeare's creativity. In his play Julius Caesar Shakespeare writes of the treacherous conspirators, Marcus Brutus and Caius Cassius, and their plans to assassinate their Roman leader, Julius Caesar. The story continues to explain how Caesar's loyal friend, Marc Antony, helps avenge the brutal murder. After Antony receives soldiers to fight his battle, his character begins to change. The fair and faithful Marc Antony transforms to a darker and more deceitful character. Marc Antony is not suitable to rule Rome because he holds a grand desire of great power, his conceit
To begin, an example of the effect superiority has on the corruption of a person can be seen in William Shakespeare's play through the character Marc Antony, who went from obedient follower to scheming deceiver when faced with the decision of control. At first, Shakespeare portrays Antony as the total opposite of a leader. This is quickly represented in his second line in the play: "When Caesar says 'Do this,' it is performed" (Shakespeare, 1.2.10). Here, it shows how when Caesar puts Antony under a lesser position, he is submissive and does whatever someone above him asks. His compliance demonstrates how when there is a ruler with more superiority, those under that superiority fall
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
Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, and the other Senators held the power to do things others could not. With this authority came their ability to use poor judgement. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Julius Caesar the theme Power Corrupts is arrayed thoroughly. Murder, treason, and ethical/moral corruption were three prevalent themes that proved the overall topic of Power Corrupts.
Power and corruption are concepts that are difficult to fully understand. Several controversies occur within these topics. There are both conventional and unconventional ways of viewing power. In an attempt to make a claim contrary to common belief, David Brin stated, “It is said that power corrupts, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible.” This statement is not accurate because power is the corrupting device responsible for a plethora of downfalls leaders have experienced.
Power is a natural desire for humans. It is what structures society, makes the world turn, and to get more of it, people will do almost anything. Yet society often follows whoever is in power without a second thought. Because the Romans follow whoever is in power without considering that person’s morals and ideals, they are responsible for the anarchy that ensues after Caesar’s death.