Macbeth and George Bush: Problems with Power A leader’s job is to leave his country with hope and inspiration so that it can endure hardships and enjoy prosperity. However, when a leader fails their country, tragedy and utter chaos can follow. George Bush’s tragic decline from public favor is similar to Macbeth’s from The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Centuries apart, George Bush’s failures after his 2001 election are comparable to Macbeth’s failures in the 16th century Scotland. Their failures left their countries with blood on their hands after conflict had plagued them both. Macbeth and George Bush both taught us that even the best will fall. Being both from affluence, they both have a background in nobility. The two leaders
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For both leaders this would be something that would accumulate until it led to their downfalls. Macbeth’s ambition to have absolute power led him to be brutal towards his people. Before killing Duncan this can be seen when he sees a dagger in the air and says “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (2,1,40). Macbeth is already showing his inner evil when he sees a knife floating in the air and wishes he could clutch it to perform the act of treachery. His brutality which was fueled by his ambition led to his downfall because it caused his friends to turn on him. Once his best friend, Banquo had suspicions about Macbeth but couldn’t do anything because Macbeth ordered three killers to execute him and his son. He also killed Macduff’s family which would fuel Macduff into channeling his anger towards killing the person behind it. One difference between Macbeth and George Bush’s downfall is that while Macbeth purposely tried to commit evil, George Bush did not. His actions after the attacks on 9/11 were fueled by a country and political climate that wanted revenge. George Bush backed by the government wanted to find those responsible and decided to create a “tough new weapons-inspection regime” (Sitkoff). This led to a war that would lead to the deaths of many over weapons that were never found. This put blood on Bush’s hands despite his good intentions in trying to keep America safe after the
For both leaders this would be something that would accumulate until it led to their downfalls. Macbeth’s ambition to have absolute power led him to be brutal towards his people. Before killing Duncan this can be seen when he sees a dagger in the air and says “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (2,1,40). Macbeth is already showing his inner evil when he sees a knife floating in the air and wishes he could clutch it to perform the act of treachery. His brutality which was fueled by his ambition led to his downfall because it caused his friends to turn on him. Once his best friend, Banquo had suspicions about Macbeth but couldn’t do anything because Macbeth ordered three killers to execute him and his son. He also killed Macduff’s family which would fuel Macduff into channeling his anger towards killing the person behind it. One difference between Macbeth and George Bush’s downfall is that while Macbeth purposely tried to commit evil, George Bush did not. His actions after the attacks on 9/11 were fueled by a country and political climate that wanted revenge. George Bush backed by the government wanted to find those responsible and decided to create a “tough new weapons-inspection regime” (Sitkoff). This led to a war that would lead to the deaths of many over weapons that were never found. This put blood on Bush’s hands despite his good intentions in trying to keep America safe after the