Implications and Moral Dues of Power History is no stranger to power. It has witnessed the rise and fall of tyrants, dictators and corrupt rulers. However, among this group of rulers and figures of authority, there were men that came from a tradition of honor and justice. Although, during the course of their life they were swayed from this tradition by the alluring elixir of power, once they relinquished this power they returned to their former tradition. Yang Guang was one of these men. A grand military man that loyally served his father and Empire. When crowned prince in 600 BC he succumbed to the promise of power and treasonously murdered his father,Yang Jian, in 604 BC. His rule was a constant battle with insurgencies, the Koreans and
…show more content…
Although many see Macbeth as the personification of evil, this was not always the case. Prior to the murder of Duncan, the rightful King of Scotland, Macbeth was a loyal soldier and Thane. During Duncan’s conflict with Macdonwald, Macbeth rises to the occasion. As the Bleeding Sargent notes, that Macbeth, against all odds, challenged Macdonwald and was successful in crushing both Macdonwald and the traitorous Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth risks his life for the King of Scotland prior to hearing the prophesy of the three sisters. When given the robes of the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth says “why do you dress me In borrow 'd robes?”. It becomes clear at this point that Macbeth’s only motivation stem from his deep seated sense of honor and duty. This is the reader’s first exposure to Macbeth’s tendency for honor. His honor becomes more overt during his arguments with Lady Macbeth. After Lady Macbeth proposes the concept of assassinating King Duncan to Macbeth, he reacts with righteous indignation. Saying “We will proceed no further in this business”. These words highlight the absurdity of the plan Lady Macbeth is outlining. Macbeth is worried about the way this will tarnish his honor when he says that he has “Golden opinions from all sorts of people” which implies that there is an inner conflict inside Macbeth. Macbeth refers to people, which is evidently the two traits within Macbeth, power and honor. Macbeth is drawing from his honor to refute Lady Macbeth’s plan. It is in these moments that Macbeth is still clinging on to his honor and resisting power when hes says “Not cast aside so soon”. Referring to the golden opinions, which are the thoughts and traits of honor that Macbeth harbors in his soul. The final moment where Macbeth can be seen clinging on to his honor is during the last minutes when he heads out to kill Duncan. Here Macbeth begins to hallucinate a dagger which has its handle
Although many see Macbeth as the personification of evil, this was not always the case. Prior to the murder of Duncan, the rightful King of Scotland, Macbeth was a loyal soldier and Thane. During Duncan’s conflict with Macdonwald, Macbeth rises to the occasion. As the Bleeding Sargent notes, that Macbeth, against all odds, challenged Macdonwald and was successful in crushing both Macdonwald and the traitorous Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth risks his life for the King of Scotland prior to hearing the prophesy of the three sisters. When given the robes of the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth says “why do you dress me In borrow 'd robes?”. It becomes clear at this point that Macbeth’s only motivation stem from his deep seated sense of honor and duty. This is the reader’s first exposure to Macbeth’s tendency for honor. His honor becomes more overt during his arguments with Lady Macbeth. After Lady Macbeth proposes the concept of assassinating King Duncan to Macbeth, he reacts with righteous indignation. Saying “We will proceed no further in this business”. These words highlight the absurdity of the plan Lady Macbeth is outlining. Macbeth is worried about the way this will tarnish his honor when he says that he has “Golden opinions from all sorts of people” which implies that there is an inner conflict inside Macbeth. Macbeth refers to people, which is evidently the two traits within Macbeth, power and honor. Macbeth is drawing from his honor to refute Lady Macbeth’s plan. It is in these moments that Macbeth is still clinging on to his honor and resisting power when hes says “Not cast aside so soon”. Referring to the golden opinions, which are the thoughts and traits of honor that Macbeth harbors in his soul. The final moment where Macbeth can be seen clinging on to his honor is during the last minutes when he heads out to kill Duncan. Here Macbeth begins to hallucinate a dagger which has its handle