The Corruption of Power

Even though it has been over 400 years since Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, the themes found in the play are still completely relevant today. One of the most important themes in Macbeth is that excessive power and ambition corrupts a leader until he or she inevitably reaches a downfall.

This is not only found in leaders, as it could affect anyone. However, the strongest examples throughout history of corruption through power are major world leaders. These are the people who have the most power in their hands, and wrong decisions from them can have an immense impact.

A relatively recent leader who actually took several actions similar to Macbeth’s was Adolf Hitler. He was the leader of Nazi Germany in World War II. Hitler was a dictatorial ruler who had full power in Germany.

Throughout World War II, this great power corrupted Hitler. Like Macbeth, Hitler was extremely ruthless and paranoid. He did not hesitate to kill anyone who he saw as an opposition or as a threat to his power. Also similarly to Macbeth, he caused suffering to his own people due to his paranoia and fear of losing power.

Hitler killed even high-ranking military officers if he perceived them as a threat. This is quite similar to Macbeth’s decision to murder Banquo.

At the end of his rule, Hitler took completely irrational decisions and ignored the advice of his best generals. Like Macbeth, Hitler led himself to his own downfall.

By the end of World War II, Hitler was completely surrounded

Hitler was not the only ruler to experience this fate, and there will most likely be more in the future. Unfortunately, many leaders cannot appropriately handle the power they gain, sometimes leading to disastrous consequences.

Macbeth serves even today as a reminder to everyone of what happens when an ambitious ruler is completely corrupted by power.

Website used: www.wikipedia.org

Image from: http://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-ii/nazi-germany-surrenders7.htm