Please finish reading "Macbeth" Act III and complete the 13 study questions in your journal.
I would like you to do a little research and find examples of real life Macbeths and Lady Macbeths. Look for world leaders who abused their power through ambition. It need not be murder (though, sadly, that has happened more times than we can count).
How has financial greed caused an abuse of power? This can be seen in companies that started off with a worthy goal, and then ended up allowing money, greed, power and ambition take over.
In the following blog post, please share a real life example of a person or entity that resembles the downfall of Macbeth. Please include a link to the website, so we can see your work. Also, include at least 1-3 direct quotation(s) from Macbeth that shows the direct parallel to your example.
I look forward to your responses.
Mr. P. ;)
Mobutu Sese Seko (1930-1997) was the totalitarian dictator of Zaire, known today as the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1960 he helped Patrice Lumumba, soon to be the first democratically elected leader of Congo, to gain independence from Belgium, who colonized Congo and commited many heinous crimes. That same year the Congo Crisis occurred, during which many different areas of the Congo tried to secede. Lumumba sought aid from both the United Nations and the United States, but after getting refusals from both, he asked for help from the Soviet Union. This made Belgium and the United States worry about the threat of a communist regime in the Congo, so they backed Mobutu in a government coup. Mobutu imprisoned Lumumba, and then executed him by firing squad. Then, through a series of several more coups, and finally named himself the dictator of Congo in 1965, which he renamed Zaire. He spent the next 20ish years running a “kleptocracy”, amassing a fast fortune for himself through economic exploitation and corruption. He was later ousted by another military force, and died two months later of prostate cancer. His life has many parallels with Macbeth. The Belgian and U.S. government kind of act as the witches, telling him his “destiny” to prevent the spread of communism. He killed the leader of his country, who was generally well liked. He commited many human right violations. He was also suspicious of other officers, even purging his army of talented commanders at one point by falsely accusing them of conspiring with FBI. I think a good quote to pair with this is “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell.
ReplyDeleteThough all things foul would wear the brows of grace,
Yet Grace must still look so.”
Even though Mobutu killed Lumumba, he presented himself as his successor, and pushed the same message of nationalistic government. He befriended many U.S. presidents, and was even described as a good man with a lot of sense. He presented himself as a hero of the people, when in fact he was embezzling billions of dollars from the government.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mobutu-Sese-Seko
Ethan Coyle
Somoza Garcia was a dictator- like president of Nicaragua who gained a lot of of his power through immoral and sometimes illegal ways. He started off his political career as head of the Nicaraguan National Guard, and violated peace talks by ordering the assassination of a political rival after a six year struggle for power. This wasn't quite, "unseam[ing] him from the nave to the chops and fix[ing] his head upon [the] battlements." (11), but, similar to Macbeth, this act showed the government that Somoza was a political power. The he urged his supporters to massacre the supporters of his former rival. This gained him support from his political party. He then forced the current president Sacasa, who was also his uncle, to resign. Despite accusations of fraud and elector abuse, Somozo was elected president in 1937. He has the Constitution amended to give almost all political power to the president, and put his friends and family into other head political positions. The U.S. recognized that he was basically a dictator, and yet they still supported him because he wasn't a communist. It was even rumored that FDR remarked that, "Somoza may be a son of a b*tch, but he's our son of a b*tch." This is similar to to Macbeth's rule after Banquo is killed, when Lennox and the Lord question their kings motives. The lord says, "The son of Duncan, from whom this tyrant holds the due of birth," (113) He not only recognizes that Macbeth is a tyrant, but that he shouldn't be in power. This was how many felt about Somozo, and yet they could do nothing to stop him. He did agree that he wouldn't run for reelection, but when another man was elected and Somozo found he couldn't manipulate the new president, he orchestrated a coup and put his wive's uncle into power. This decision reminds me of Macbeth and Banquo, because once Banquo told his friend that, "[his] bosom franchised and allegiance clear," (49) Macbeth decided to kill him. Once the new president was gone, Somozo held power through several puppet leaders, then he ran and was elected president a second time, also with many rumors of election fraud. He then reorganized businesses and bought a lot of property in Nicaragua, the U.S.,and Canada, increasing his worth by millions. His downfall came during his next run for president, when an poet shot and killed him.
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasio_Somoza_Garc%C3%ADa
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/anastasio-somoza-garca-5875.php
Tonya Harding was a figures skater who competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics. She was a good skater but wasn't the number one skater. Nancy Kerrigan was third on the podium while Tonya was below tenth. Nancy had potential at becoming an amazing skater that everyone would look up to. When Tonya found out that Nancy was in third place she lost all senses and was filled jealousy, greed, and fear because she wanted to be where Nancy was. The same thing happened with Macbeth and how “But to be safely thus. Our Fear in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be feared” (3:1). She made a plan up where she asked her bodyguard to clobber and beat Nancy in the knee with a baseball bat. Nancy was severely damaged and was unable to compete. The is similar to Macbeth asking the murders to kill Banquo on his trip. “Nowi, the worst rank of manhood, say’t and i will put that business in your bosoms whos excursion takes your enemy off, Grapples you to the heart and love of us, Who wear our health but sickly in his life, Which in his death were perfectly” (3:1) The men can show their high ranks only by going with Macbeth's plans. He will give them a secret plan in order to gain his loyalty and love. I feel like Tonya had felt so much pressure on herself because of her parents, friends and fans wanted her to do well. She believed that if she won she could make her fan proud of her. Lady Macbeth played this role because she kept nagging macbeth about how he should become king and made all the plans up. Macbeth was scared to kill Duncan at first and then did it to make his wife happy but now he will kill his friends just so he can stay king. Tonya made her choice on planning to hurt Nancy before a competition led to a consequence with her losing her fans and friends to get what she wanted. But lost os all she lost respect. Macbeth feared that people would find out that he was the one who murdered Banquo and Duncan and he would lose everything. He had nightmares and fears. “Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep in the affiliation of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly.” (3: 2)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/01.06.html
Caligula, a Roman emperor in the 30s A.D., was a tyrant who came to power under uncertain circumstances. In 37 A.D., Caligula’s predecessor, Tiberius, died, and it was not certain how he died, though Caligula was rumored to have smothered him. In Macbeth, Macbeth kills King Duncan to gain his power, as written at the end of Scene 1 in Act 2, “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell / That summons thee toe heaven, or to hell.” However, no one other than Banquo has much suspicion at the time of Duncan’s death that Macbeth was the perpetrator.
ReplyDeleteAfter a severe life or death illness, Caligula’s mental state changed. He didn’t sleep much at night, instead roaming around the palace, driven by headaches. Macbeth also experiences trouble with sleep because of his paranoia, and in Scene 2 of Act 3, he says while talking to Lady Macbeth that “we will eat our meal in fear and sleep / In the affliction of these terrible dreams / That shake us nightly.”
When Caligula’s behavior continued to deteriorate, he was soon hated. In 41 A.D., four years after gaining power, he was brutally murdered and stabbed 30 times. I predict something similar will happen to Macbeth, as already Lennox has said “the tyrant’s feast” in reference to Macbeth’s dinner. Subjects of Macbeth are beginning to question his rise to power and his behavior, and I believe they will soon take action.
https://www.biography.com/people/caligula-9235253#!
Alberto Fujimori- president of Peru 1990-2000
ReplyDeleteIn his first two weeks he raised gas prices by 3,000% this makes me think of Macbeth because right in the start of being king he did something extreme like freaking out seeing Banquo's ghost at the banquet both must have been questioned for doing something that drastic so suddenly. The way Fujimori declare a state of emergency so he wouldn't have the legislative members kicked out so he could replace them with people that agree with him is like Macbeth killing Banquo to keep him quiet. Fugiyama’s wife spoke out agent him but he made it so family member can't be in office together to limit her power. This has yet to happen in Macbeth but his wife is starting to question him.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alberto-Fujimori
DeleteAdolf Hitler was a German politician who was leader of the Nazi Party, whose powers came to an end due to his ambitious ways. Hitler gained the support of many due the rapid rise of economy in Germany, promoting antisemitism, and attacking the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler in a way is similar to Lady Macbeth, and the people of Germany are all like Macbeth. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth pushes and convinces Macbeth to murder King Duncan, so Hitler was pushing Germany into believing in antisemitism, and similar and not so similar to King Duncan's murder, Hitler and the Nazi Party were responsible for the death of 6 million people in what we should all know as, the Holocaust. Soon after, Hitler's rein of power and ambition came to an end due to him failing to defeat the Soviets and the United States of America intervening the fight. I predict that something like this will happen in Macbeth, people will question Macbeth's rise to power, and stop him like the allies in World War 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler#Dictatorship
ReplyDeletehttps://www.biography.com/people/adolf-hitler-9340144
Napoleon Bonaparte (1808-1873): Love him or hate him you have to admit he left his mark on world history in a big way. Napoleon started his career as a soldier that grew to be a successful and well-respected general, mirroring Macbeth’s path towards descent. Like Macbeth, he had too much ambition for his own good. After the French Revolution, a period of governmental chaos ensued, leaving the nation with a disorganized oligarchy which was no better for the people than the last. After Napoleon's successful military campaign, he returned home to France and staged a coup to overthrow the post-revolutionary government and brought closure to a period of unrest. This gifted him much support among the people, and lead to him seizing power as an absolute dictator. After rising to power, he was forced to defend his nation from the neighboring nations attempting to restore the French monarchy. This, of course, was when things went arie and Napoleon set out to conquer all of Europe, which might have worked out if not for the good ol’ Russian winter. After conquering most of Europe, he lead his troops into Russia and made it all the way to Berlin, but Napoleon waited too long to return home and his troops were devastated by the freezing cold and lack of supplies caused by the Russian winter. There are many parallels between Macbeth in Napoleon's stature as well as ambition. In both cases, it was a series of malintented events for their own self benefit that lead to their rise and eventual fall. Napoleon definitely did many good things, like spreading more democratic, liberal ideals throughout Europe and supporting a revolution that reshaped history; on the other hand, he did many bad things like killing loads of people in futile military campaigns. He, like Macbeth, was willing to take the violent, but needed, steps to achieve his goals. In this way he is much like Macbeth-- yes, questionable actions, but a good heart <3. It’s always a matter of intentions when judging someone’s character, and, like Macbeth, we appreciate Napoleon’s effort and respect the ideas he stands for, but the outcome is not justified by the intent.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.history.com/topics/napoleon
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/history-vs-napoleon-bonaparte-alex-gendler
For my article paralleling Macbeth I chose to read about a Syracuse Ironman Triathlon. Specifically some attempted cheating that went on at one last summer. Basically, what happened was this. Canadian triathlete Kristen Johnson got herself disqualified from the face for attempting to deflate the bike tires of Sharon Schmidt-Mongrain's before the race. Luckily for Sharon Schmidt-Mongrain, her husband saw the whole event go down. He just so happen to be walking by his wife’s bike and hear a hissing sound as Johnson was bent over the bike. He quickly yelled for a race official and Johnson was soon after disqualified. I feel like this article relates well to Macbeth because it demonstrates someone not having faith in or patients for themselves and instead trying to cheat their way to the top of something. Whether that be a monarchy position or a first place medal. In his own way Macbeth attempts to sabotage his competition. “Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond which keeps me pale!” (91) he said referring to killing Banquo in order to help secure his own place on the throne. Both Macbeth and Johnson obviously didn’t believe they could accomplish their goals without ridding themselves of the people whom they deemed their competition. They both also had no patients, Johnson couldn’t even wait to see how the race went, at least how it started, maybe she could have won without cheating. Similarly Macbeth, so scared he would lose his throne killed Banquo when Banquo was posing no real threat to him. It’s an interesting parallel. Possibly it says something about Macbeth’s mindset, maybe it was a competitive one, maybe he felt he was competing to get and hold on to the crown.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/06/syracuse_ironman_triathlon_athlete_disqualified_accused_of_deflating_competitors.html
- Ellie Yates
Julius Caesar was the ruler of the Roman Empire. He was a strong leader but eventually through his ambition became a ruthless dictator who was eventually assassinated. His transition from loving leader to terrible dictator show many parallels to Macbeth. He was blinded by his ambitions to make many changes to the Roman Empire that he could not see the senators disagreement with it. This is much like Macbeths ambition to secure his position as the king. This resulted in Julius Caesar getting stabbed my over 60 members of the senate, which could possibly mean a future death for Macbeth later in the book.
ReplyDelete(Isaac Mezher)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar
DeleteA person who let their ambition get the best of themselves, to the like of Macbeth, is Kaiser Wilhelm the Second (1859-1941). Kaiser Wilhelm, a grandchild to Queen Victoria, was always disliked as a kid, and left out of many royal family activities. Kaiser Wilhelm’s ambition to connect with his distant family left him in a feud against his cousin, King George V. This feud/ambition soon led to World War 1 in which Germany fought against the nations of Wilhelm’s family: Great Britain, France, and Russia (The Triple Entente). Kaiser Wilhelm ended up losing the World War against his family members and this represents a real life example of the downfall of Macbeth. In Act 3 Macbeth says, “But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be feared” (pg.81). Much like Kaiser Wilhelm II, Macbeth is more obsessed with his ambition for power over family (Banquo is basically family), and fighting against him will eventually lead to his downfall when (I assume from foreshadowing) Fleance comes back to kill Macbeth. An example of financial greed in big companies, that claim to have a worthy goal, are companies (for example Apple) who create labor in China but are really exploiting cheap labor (for example Apple exploiting Foxconn workers with horrible working conditions). Many companies exploit cheap labor in countries with working condition laws (like the 8 hour workday and minimum wage) and sometimes even exploit child labor which is a horrible thing to do for profit, even if the company is creating jobs.
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_II,_German_Emperor
-Alex Wessel
*without working condition laws
DeleteOftentimes, an ambition can be collective. This could be represented with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, who both seem to be in want to have Macbeth as king (though Lady Macbeth initially shows a greater desire for this). Evidently, this need to be king has clouded Macbeth's moral values, as described in the line, "I have no spur/ to prick the sides of my intent, but only/ vaulting ambition" (Act 1, Scene Seven). A similar case applies not to a specific person, but rather to a collection of internet-based companies concerning the repeal of the net neutrality law. Strictly, Comcast shares this same "vaulting ambition" to repeal the law as their judgement seems to be murky. Instead of caring for the well-being of others, Comcast and many other companies are in favor of wanting to charge extra for services online that are currently free. Of course, this will only benefit them as they will be earning more money, and harm (economically) its users, small business owners who have their companies online, and so on. Some also consider this act a violation of their basic human rights, stating how it attacks their freedom of speech on the internet. Clearly, this desire to repeal net neutrality (though incomparable to murder) could also be described as a "black and deep desire" (Act 1, Scene 4). Like Macbeth, these companies have started off with a more ethical goal: provide internet access to its customers, etc. Now, they are obviously growing greedy and selfish, unconcerned with what their actions might cause for others.
ReplyDeletehttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/11/comcast-deleted-net-neutrality-pledge-the-same-day-fcc-announced-repeal/
Francisco Franco (1892-1975) was the fascist dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975. Prior to 1931, he was a member of Spain’s armed forces and a conservative and monarchist. From the age of 23, he proved to be strong leader. In February of 1926, he was promoted to brigadier general, becoming the youngest general in all of Spain and possible Europe at the time. Between 1926 and 1931, he was the head of a military academy. During the Second Spanish Republic, he quelled a anarchist rebellion leading to a sharp divide between left and right wing politics in Spain. After a left-wing victory in the 1936 general elections, Franco plotted with other military generals to take over the government via a military coup. Several months later, his and other generals sprang the coup and took over a third of Spain. By 1939, Franco’s forces had won the civil war and he became the de facto leader, reigning over Spain for 36 years, killing 50k-400k people. In Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff says “Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee!” Here he says that he is fearing the worst for his country because of unchecked tyranny and power. I feel that this applies very much so here.
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Franco
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Terror_(Spain)
-Matthew Hebert
Richard Nixon (1913-1994) can be considered a modern day Macbeth because of the familiarity in sequences that took place during their rulerships and how they came to have that power.
ReplyDeleteBefore Richard Nixon became president in his second term, he decided to try and sabotage his enemies by wiretapping their offices during the campaigns. This was known as the “Watergate” scandal. Nixon ordered several men to wiretap offices of the Democratic National Committee in order to try and sabotage their campaign. This is similar to something that Macbeth did because Macbeth ordered murderers to kill Banquo and his son after remembering that the three witches prophesied that Banquo will be the father of kings. This is explained by the following quote, “I will advise you where to plant yourselves, Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' th' time,
The moment on ’t; for ’t must be done tonight, And something from the palace; always thought
That I require a clearness. And with him— To leave no rubs nor botches in the work—
Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart.
I’ll come to you anon.” (Act 3 Scene 1 134-144)
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-some-modern-day-examples-macbeth-403894
Though it seems like low hanging fruit, When one think of dictators its near impossible not to think of Adolf Hitler. We all Know the Story of Adolf Hitler, an aspiring Painter from Austria who’s Art Career went south. Leading the WWI veteran into politics, eventually leading to his seizing of power within the German government in 1933, he subsequently invaded his neighbors and killed a significant portion of his own nation’s population, before eventually committing suicide in 1945. On closer examination of this story one can draw similarities between Hitler’s demeanor, and the effect he had on the German people, and our dearest Macbeth.
ReplyDeleteWhile Hitler did not seize power by way of murder like Macbeth, but both Hitler and Macbeth despite their uncouth behavior when transitioning into their new titles, won over the hearts of their subordinates, in both cases, the men had power handed to them on a silver platter. We also see Macbeth coming out in Adolf Hitler, evident by the fact that Hitler was Very insecure in himself and was described by his peers as “jumpy” , easily upsetable, and prone to outbursts. Much like Macbeth in the story soon after he Kills Duncan.
A person who let their ambition get the best of themselves, to the like of Macbeth, is Ivan the Terrible who was the tsar of Russia from 1530-1584. It’s noted that in his youth, because he wanted to hear their anguished screams Ivan would throw cats and dogs off of the walls of the Kremlin. The princes of Muscovy had traditionally been tax collectors for the Mongols and it was not until Ivan the I managed to amass a large personal fortune and conquer surrounding rivals, furthering his power and gaining the trust of the Mongols. Also, In 1480, Ivan the III managed to buy up all the surrounding territory around Moscow and proclaim himself tsar and not subject to Mongol rule. Scholars believe that Ivan manifested psychopathic characteristics; his quick mood shifts, unreliability, egocentricity and lack of lasting emotions. Ivan was an overall bad guy, I also learned that, A German mercenary said: "Mounting a horse and brandishing a spear, he charged in and ran people through while his son watched the entertainment...".
ReplyDelete-Zach Mola
http://academic.mu.edu/meissnerd/ivan-terrible.htm
A person who was overly motivated by their ambition, and eventually consumed by it was Andrew Carnegie. Andrew Carnegie was one of the richest people alive when America was still in its developmental stage. He was a working man like the rest until he started his steel production, which brought him all of his riches. His contributions to the steel industry meant that it became the construction material of choice and was used to construct buildings that were mere fever dreams a decade before steel, leading to the vertical expansion of cities. Without him, the massive skyscrapers that litter themselves across the Boston skyline might not exist. However, Andrew Carnegie was also known for his atrocious treatment of workers and paranoia regarding his social status. He can be considered a ‘Robber Baron’ because of that. For example, Carnegie expresses his distaste for his friend Frank’s financial management. He does so because he keeps a watchful eye on his own finances, stemming from his over materialistic values. This all accumulates into his attempt to worsen the working conditions to save money. He made his workers work 12 hour days 6 days a week, but he didn’t pay his workers enough to compensate for his tough work schedules. The workers ended up going on strike and being massacred by his mercenaries. He then became embroiled in his own guilt and regret his decisions for the rest of his life.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.carnegie.org/interactives/foundersstory/#!/
Andrew Carnegie DBQ