Pol Pot was the former totalitarian dictator of Cambodia; he was a mass murderer, had paranoia, and was a megalomaniac. However, his reign only lasted four years because his brutal methods made the state highly unstable. In “Macbeth”, by William Shakespeare, an equally horrible man named Macbeth presides over the kingdom of Scotland. He seems destined to have the same fate as Pot, who had to retreat into hiding after his government crumbled. In “Heart’s Ambition”, Travis Mitchell indirectly explains why this will happen to Macbeth: his lack of morals and depressed emotional state will be the driving force that causes his subjects to initiate a revolution. Initially, Macbeth chooses to be a selfish person and considers himself to be the only
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Mitchell runs into the same mistake during his life: he tries to gain power in the corporate world, but feels like he has to be a terrible person to do so. After he realizes this, he states, “A world without ideals is truly a world without hope”(Mitchell). This lesson is destined to hold true in Macbeth’s situation, as he does not seem to care for his subjects. In attempt to justify the murders of his old friends to his wife, he says, “For mine own good / All cause shall give way” (III.4.46). Macbeth does not feel any compassion for the subjects of his kingdom. Instead, he only about himself and maintaining his power. This is absolutely not the type of ruler that one would want to live under. He will make the people’s lives a living hell in which they have no say in what legislation is passed or what rights they have. As a result of this mistreatment, the people of Scotland will ultimately rebel against Macbeth and put an end to his rule. Macbeth’s selfishness will certainly impact his own relations as well. People who …show more content…
Macbeth has become eternally saddened because of his horrible actions to claim power in Scotland. In “Heart’s Ambition,” Mitchell elaborates on this idea. He states, “People cannot be happy if they are doing what they know to be wrong”(Mitchell). The same idea is portrayed in the characters of Shakespeare’s play. Lady Macbeth reflects on their rise to power, and finally concludes, “Nought’s had, all’s spent / Where our desire is got without content” (III.2.38). She determines that although they have accomplished their goal in becoming the King and Queen of Scotland, she and Macbeth will never be happy with their lives. Macbeth also believes his means of attaining the crown has affected his mental state: ”...on the torture of the mind to lie / In restless ecstasy” (III.5.46). It is clear to the reader that Macbeth has succumbed to his negative thoughts permanently. He will never be at peace with himself as he knows what he has done is wrong. For that reason, he will also be a terrible ruler. It is historically evident that a ruler who is not emotionally stable and calm will not be able to sustain his kingdom for very long. For example, the Soviet Union, which was ruled by a chronically depressed Joseph Stalin, could not be sustained as a unit; it dispersed into a number of countries after a number of years. In Scotland, a similar consequence will
Mitchell runs into the same mistake during his life: he tries to gain power in the corporate world, but feels like he has to be a terrible person to do so. After he realizes this, he states, “A world without ideals is truly a world without hope”(Mitchell). This lesson is destined to hold true in Macbeth’s situation, as he does not seem to care for his subjects. In attempt to justify the murders of his old friends to his wife, he says, “For mine own good / All cause shall give way” (III.4.46). Macbeth does not feel any compassion for the subjects of his kingdom. Instead, he only about himself and maintaining his power. This is absolutely not the type of ruler that one would want to live under. He will make the people’s lives a living hell in which they have no say in what legislation is passed or what rights they have. As a result of this mistreatment, the people of Scotland will ultimately rebel against Macbeth and put an end to his rule. Macbeth’s selfishness will certainly impact his own relations as well. People who …show more content…
Macbeth has become eternally saddened because of his horrible actions to claim power in Scotland. In “Heart’s Ambition,” Mitchell elaborates on this idea. He states, “People cannot be happy if they are doing what they know to be wrong”(Mitchell). The same idea is portrayed in the characters of Shakespeare’s play. Lady Macbeth reflects on their rise to power, and finally concludes, “Nought’s had, all’s spent / Where our desire is got without content” (III.2.38). She determines that although they have accomplished their goal in becoming the King and Queen of Scotland, she and Macbeth will never be happy with their lives. Macbeth also believes his means of attaining the crown has affected his mental state: ”...on the torture of the mind to lie / In restless ecstasy” (III.5.46). It is clear to the reader that Macbeth has succumbed to his negative thoughts permanently. He will never be at peace with himself as he knows what he has done is wrong. For that reason, he will also be a terrible ruler. It is historically evident that a ruler who is not emotionally stable and calm will not be able to sustain his kingdom for very long. For example, the Soviet Union, which was ruled by a chronically depressed Joseph Stalin, could not be sustained as a unit; it dispersed into a number of countries after a number of years. In Scotland, a similar consequence will