How does one measure the greatness of a leader? Is it through the way he or she commands his or her people? The way he or she handles problems? Or through the sacrifices made for others? Whatever the case may be, many characters and historical figures exert qualities of a leader that should be looked upon. A great leader doesn’t hold himself or herself above the people. He or she is able to put the interest of others in front of his or her own. In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, Oedipus is determined to find and punish the murderer of King Laius, stating, “...he will suffer no unbearable punishment, nothing worse than exile, totally unharmed” (171). When the Shepherd revealed the story of baby Oedipus, he realized that he was the one who murdered the
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Nelson Mandela was involved in the anti-apartheid movement that politically advocated against the South African government and its racist policies, landing him in prison for nearly 27 years. He found himself fighting for his people, “I had no epiphany, no singular revelation, but a steady accumulation of a thousand slights… produced in me an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people” (Mandela Long Walk to Freedom 95). In a conversation with Richard Stengel about his feelings over leaving his family for prison, Mandela says, “…they are not the only people who are suffering. Hundreds, millions, in our country are suffering and so I felt I had taken a correct decision” (Mandela Conversations with Myself 180). Quoting President Obama’s foreword, “His sacrifice was so great that it called upon people everywhere to do what they could on behalf of human progress” (xi). Mandela knew his actions would result in a negative effect on both himself and his family, but he did it anyway. His noble acts helped create the man who later became the first black president of South
Nelson Mandela was involved in the anti-apartheid movement that politically advocated against the South African government and its racist policies, landing him in prison for nearly 27 years. He found himself fighting for his people, “I had no epiphany, no singular revelation, but a steady accumulation of a thousand slights… produced in me an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people” (Mandela Long Walk to Freedom 95). In a conversation with Richard Stengel about his feelings over leaving his family for prison, Mandela says, “…they are not the only people who are suffering. Hundreds, millions, in our country are suffering and so I felt I had taken a correct decision” (Mandela Conversations with Myself 180). Quoting President Obama’s foreword, “His sacrifice was so great that it called upon people everywhere to do what they could on behalf of human progress” (xi). Mandela knew his actions would result in a negative effect on both himself and his family, but he did it anyway. His noble acts helped create the man who later became the first black president of South