Essay Sample on Compassion and Power: Distinguishing Human Traits

Introduction

Some of the traits that differentiate human beings from one another include the ability to express compassion and empathizing with one another. Some people understand that it is equally important to prioritize the needs of others while they pursue individual goals. While a person may have a well-developed sense of moral identity that governs his or her actions and conduct, the pursuit of power tends to change him or her. Before rising to positions of authority, a person may be described as caring, fair, and generous. Such an individual often tends to lose these qualities when they become potent persons in the community. I support the argument that power-hungry people are least likely to act since authority corrupts people, as depicted in William Shakespeare's Macbeth.

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People lose their moral identity due to awareness of the authority and autonomy that comes with assuming leadership positions. Ascending to the highest and often prestigious positions of power corrupts the thinking process of individuals who cannot remain firm to their principles and moral campus. Psychologists argue that before rising to power, people think, evaluate, and make decisions using a consequentialist approach (Lammer and Stapel 279). It implies that the decision-making process heavily relies on the analysis of the outcomes or impacts that specific actions will have on others. However, individuals in high power positions do not pay attention to the consequences that their efforts will have. In most cases, they have insulation against the adverse effects of their decisions and conduct. Therefore, they lack compassion and worry less about the welfare of their subjects.

Power influences the development of a bad habit whereby a person displays and prioritizes their interests at the expense of others. Some people argue that power reveals a person's real character but does not necessarily trigger them to act inhumanely (Lammer and Stapel 279). However, an increase in self-interested behavior is a symbol of the effect that power has on a person's moral reasoning (Lammer and Stapel 279). When a person gains control over a large number of people, they become obsessed with the desire to impose their will on the subjects. Awareness of the power and authority that they wield over others erodes a leader's principled moral reasoning (Giurge et al.). As a result, they place a lot of value on personal interests, goals, and ambitions. Over time, the obsession continues to grow, and it ends up clouding their judgment. As they amass power, it corrupts their thinking, and they lose the capacity to differentiate right from wrong. The play "The Tragedy of Macbeth" is a story about a general, Macbeth whose desire to become the king of Scotland drives him to cruelty. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth meets witches who share a prophecy that he will receive recognition for his efforts in the war (Shakespeare 350). The witches inform Macbeth that he will rise to become king. While he regards the prophecy with skepticism, Macbeth shares the information with his wife. Lady Macbeth is enthusiastic about the possibility of Macbeth ruling Scotland. As a result, she plants ideas in his ideas about murdering King Duncan and taking over leadership (Shakespeare 353). Consequently, Macbeth proceeds to hatch a plan, kills the king, and seizes the throne.

Macbeth's character is a clear depiction of the effect that power has and how it corrupts an individual. First, he learns that there is a possibility he will ascend to the throne. Since he is intrigued by the prophecy, he becomes eager to assume leadership. Instead of waiting for his turn and time, he goes ahead to take over forcefully. Lady Macbeth's involvement in the plan to murder King Duncan is proof of how easy the prospects and thrills of power can erase common sense (Shakespeare 352). Her desire to see Macbeth at the top makes it convenient for her to help commit an atrocious crime. While Lady Macbeth is a vicious character, her husband has his doubts about their preferred approach for gaining power. However, the allure of power triumphs his inhibitions. Aware of the prophecy and the claim that the Banquo's will inherit the kingdom, Macbeth responds by ordering their death (Shakespeare 353). The command reveals that Macbeth intends to remain king for a long time and does not intend to relinquish power to the next leader. He relieves in the assurance of the witches that no son who is born of a woman will dethrone him. His obsession and desire to stick to the throne is an indication of the effect that power and authority have. During his pursuit of Macduff, Macbeth's cruel and inhumane actions depict how power corrupts the mind of a person. Angered at the nobleman who combined forces with Malcolm, he orders the death of his family (Shakespeare 354). Hence, Lady Macduff and her children face death since Macduff poses a threat to the king.

Conclusion

Overall, gaining power and authority over people changes how a person thinks significantly, acts, and relates to other members of the community. Based on the characterization of Macbeth in the play, I support the argument that power corrupts people. When a person assumes leadership, the individual loses traits such as humility, fairness, and compassion. Control over subjects makes it easy for one to prioritize his or her needs and interests at the expense of the powerless. The appeal of being at the top, having the final say, and the ability to issue orders creates an illusion that makes people lose touch with reality. Thus, power affects the capacity of an individual to uphold moral principles, be humane, as well as make sound judgment and decisions.

Works Cited

Giurge, L. M., et al. "Does Power Corrupt the Mind? The Influence of Power on Moral Reasoning and Self-Interested Behavior." The Leadership Quarterly, 2019.

Lammers, Joris, and Diederik Stapel. "How Power Influences Moral Thinking." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 97, no. 2, 2009, pp. 279.

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Classic Books Company, 2001.