Three Parallels Of Macbeth And Bashad's Rise To Power

Word Literature, Period 7

8 May 2018

Three Parallels of Macbeth and Bashar al-Assad’s Rise to Power

In the play, Macbeth, greed was a dominating theme. It defined Macbeth and his actions, and over time he became a cruel and corrupt leader. Macbeth commits murder to gain power and retain his position as King of Scotland. This is not unlike Bashar al-Assad, the current dictator of Syria. While Bashar didn’t kill anyone to become president, he did join the military and was groomed to be the next president after his father passed away. In each case, once greed influenced their rise to power, Macbeth and Bashar both took similar paths that was directed by evil wrongdoings.

In looking back at Bashar and Macbeth’s beginnings we see that both

The act of killing the king was too much for Macbeth to bear.

Bashar and Macbeth use their power as leaders to either corrupt or murder anyone who opposes their rule. As time went on, both men have found it easier and easier to kill those opposed to their leadership.

When Bashar first came to be the ruler of Syria, he seemed to want to change the culture of the Syrian people. Shortly after taking over the leadership of Syria, he was able to remove many potential rivals. Early in his tenure as leader, he stated that “democracy was a tool to a better life” (Bashar al-Assad Biography 3). However, that transition never took place and the people of Syria continued to be treated poorly, and in some cases, in-humane.

After killing Duncan, Macbeth begins to dwell on the prophecy given to Banquo when they met the three witches in the woods. Although Banquo would never be king, his son Fleance would be named head of the throne in the future. Macbeth became very jealous and thought that his friend, Banquo might suspect him of killing Duncan. Banquo is a brave and wise man. These qualities allow Macbeth to see Banquo as a rival. Macbeth

‘Tis much he dares,

And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,

He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor

To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do fear; and under him My genius is rebuked, as it is said

Mark Antony's was by Caesar” (3.1.53-61).

Macbeth’s greed to retain his power blinded him and made him believe Banquo meant him harm. Macbeth ignored the past when he was Banquo’s friend and instead focused on keeping power. So to assure his reign as king Macbeth orders the murderers to kill Banquo.

At the coronation, Macbeth’s paranoia got the better of him, and he thought he saw Banquo’s ghost at the dinner party. When he begins to yell at Banquo’s ghost the lords and ladies realize it was he who killed Duncan and Banquo. In Act III, Scene IV, Macbeth says in front of his guests:

“Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee!

Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;

Thou hast no speculation in those eyes

Which thou dost glare with.” (3.4.112-115)

This shows how far Macbeth has fallen into a world of madness that is driven by