Similarities Between Macbeth And Joseph Stalin

Power, Corruption, and Positive Impact
Power is something that all humans seek. Many go to extreme lengths to seek and maintain their position, which brings up the question: How does power affect the individual? Macbeth and Joseph Stalin were both people who attained a large amount of power in a very short period of time. The former was a Scottish nobleman who, after incitement from a prophecy from three witches, assassinated King Duncan to rise to the power of thane. On the other hand, Joseph Stalin was a Georgian-born communist revolutionary who rose through the ranks and eventually became the grand secretary of the state. After his predecessor Vladimir Lenin’s death, he rose once again, becoming the undisputed ruler of the USSR. In both

For example, when Macbeth is contemplating the murder of King Duncan, he expresses his hesitation by saying, "But in these cases we still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions which, being taught, return to plague the inventor" (I, VII, 7-10). This quote reflects Macbeth's initial resistance to his ambitious desires and his recognition that the violent actions he contemplates will have consequences. However, as the story progresses and he becomes more insensitive to violence, he declares, "I am in blood stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er." (III, I, 135-136) This quote reflects Macbeth's sense of entrapment and despair, as he realizes that his actions have irreversibly marred his original caring demeanor. Similarly, Stalin's language suggests that he does not care about human life as long as he maintains his power. In one speech he said, "A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic." This quote reflects the idea that power has made him dehumanize people in an attempt to validate his violence just to maintain power and quell his paranoia. In another example, he declares, "The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." This reflects the idea of control and power; how Stalin would not stop at anything to achieve his goals. While power can undeniably corrupt, it

For instance, individuals in positions of power such as business owners and managers can implement codes of conduct and rules that allow for lower stress, and a safer environment for employees. Similarly, those with high financial power can help others by donating to charities and creating funds that advocate for a good cause. For example, Bill and Melinda Gates have used their wealth to help less fortunate people receive better healthcare and education. As Melinda once stated in an interview, "I believe that by investing in health and education, we can build stronger, more resilient communities." By using their status to support causes that better the lives of others, they have been able to effect positive change on a global scale which most people can not do. As Uncle Ben in Spiderman says, "With great power comes great responsibility." To use power positively, it is important to recognize the potential negatives and realize when it starts to become a problem just like it does with Macbeth and Stalin. While it is inevitably tempting to let power take control, people must follow their values and use them to create a positive environment for