George Washington
and MacBeth were two historic figures who were influential in determining the
fate of their nation. Both were
ambitious men living during perilous times, yet each charted a different course
for himself and his country when faced with the lure of power. Washington fulfilled his ambitions by
devoting his life to creating a nation, while MacBeth was ignorant his
responsibilities to his country, in turn destroying it and himself.
Throughout his whole life, Washington
yearned for power. As a young man, he
wanted this power as a British officer.
Later, as a Virginia gentleman, he sought power in the forms of honor
and wealth. His ultimate rise to power
eventually came when he was pronounced general of the colonial militia in the
war against Britain. It was under his command that the colonial militia emerged
victorious against the British. However,
in defeating the British another threat to American democracy had been released. This threat was Washington himself. Washington had the colonial militia under his
control. He could have easily performed
a "coup d'état" and seized control of the newly freed nation. However, Washington's ambitions were not to
become a dictator, or king. He believed
that power did not come from controlling others, but from the honor and respect
that was given to him. Washington knew
that this power would only come from subordination to civilian authority. He would be a precedent by being the first
general to turn down his immense powers.
With these actions, Washington assured the success of a new democratic
nation.
MacBeth, like Washington, was power hungry
and very successful in war. However, he
felt that power came from wealth and control over his subordinates. As a king,
MacBeth abused his power. His first priority was to secure his own safety, and
not his country's. He does this by
assassinating Banquo. This action shows
only concern for himself, but not for his nation. When he visits the Witches, he does not ask about
the future of Scotland, but his own future.
As a king, he only kills and destroys, but does not nurture his
country. Scotland suffered greatly
during MacBeth's rule because of his ignorance and refusal to step down and let
someone better qualified take over. The
majority of MacBeth's thanes eventually went to England to seek help to
overthrow him. This led to MacBeth's own downfall when help finally arrives
from England.
Lord Acton once said, "Power tends to
corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely". MacBeth epitomizes this quote. He took power and was overwhelmed by it. He did not think about the responsibilities
that came with his power, and ruined his life and country. However, Washington was not overwhelmed by
his power. His restraint of it paved the
way for the first truly democratic nation.
His willingness to sacrifice this power brought him the honorable
reputation he had sought for his entire life.
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