Power without moral guidance is a formidable force with the ability to cause havoc on society and inflict unimaginable tragedy. This idea can be found in a wide variety of literary works, including Elie Wiesel's "Night," William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," and Shilrley Jackson’s “The Lottery." The dangers of uncontrolled power are revealed in these pieces of literature as people deal with a lack of moral guidelines and fall into darkness. Power without moral leadership is the world's most dangerous force, as its uncontrolled influence not only develops corruption and oppression, but also continues a cycle of devastation and injustice, weakening the whole foundation of civilization.
Elie Wiesel's memoir "Night"
…show more content…
The boys’ initial deception of order and cooperation on the deserted island quickly deteriorates, revealing the dark side of unrestricted power. Jack, a character who gradually succumbs to his evil desires and manipulates the rest of the boys, is an intriguing representation of power without guidance in ethics. As Jack embraces his passion for control, "his face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness" (Golding, 22). Jack's transformation into a power-hungry leader, where his physical appearance matches his character's corruption. With no sense of morality to guide him, Jack takes advantage of the boys' fear and builds an atmosphere of violence and cruelty, which eventually leads to tragic outcomes. Likewise, the key moment of Simon's murder depicts the disastrous climax of power without regard for moral issues. As the boys' wild dancing mistakes Simon for the beast, their collective desire to kill what they consider as a threat surpasses all moral constraints. Golding's tragic portrayal of the descent into savagery acts as a severe warning about the dangers of unrestrained power, emphasizing the importance of ethical guidance in avoiding the destructive consequences of its …show more content…
Claudius' disregard for morals can be seen by his takeover of the throne by murdering his own brother, King Hamlet. Despite their family connections, Claudius brutally kills his sibling to satisfy his own desire for dominance. This type of manslaughter demonstrates the disastrous length he is ready to go to achieve his goals, without regard for the ethical effects of his actions. As Hamlet contemplates his uncle's violent act, he reflects, "O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!" (1.5.106). The repetition of the word "villain" by Hamlet emphasizes his strong disapproval of Claudius' behavior, emphasizing the fundamental evil and treachery connected with power gained through immoral means. Shakespeare highlights the concept that power without moral direction is the world's most deadly force. Claudius' rise to the throne is corrupted by his lack of ethical principles, which eventually leads to chaos and destruction in Denmark. His evil deeds not only disrupt the natural order of succession, but also establish a foundation of rage and revenge, causing the tragic events that unfold throughout the play. Claudius' regicide and following misuse of power demonstrate the need for those in positions of power to develop moral restraint and understand the ethical impacts of