In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the theme of absolute power corrupting people is shown throughout the story. Macbeth, originally believed to be a trusted leader on the battlefield, has changed throughout the story due to his desire for power to be an absolute ruler with absolute power. Lady Macbeth also corrupts herself in an attempt to gain more power. The theme of absolute power corrupting people may pertain to today's world as many great leaders change once they get to the top, often doing things that are morally or legally wrong. Many people in history have craved absolute power and have performed immoral and illegal actions to elevate themselves above others. A modern example of this would be the President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe. Mugabe was once a hero after Zimbabwe's civil war and was cheered by citizens, but now the only way to stay in power after forcing the country into an 80% unemployment rate is to rig votes in his favor. Many leaders become corrupt in different ways but for the same reason, absolute power. At the beginning of the story, Macbeth was an innocent general of the war and was introduced to King Duncan by a wounded soldier who spoke of Macbeth's valor on the battlefield. “For brave Macbeth, well deserves that name, disdaining fortune, with his steel brandished, that smoked with bloody execution, as the servant of valor dug his passage, till he faced the slave; Who never shook his hand, nor said farewell, until he untied him from the nave up to his hips, and fixed his head on our battlements. (Act 1 Scene 2 Lines 17-26) is how the wounded soldier describes Macbeth and how he fought for King Duncan in the civil war, which shows his loyalty and trustworthiness towards the king. This is still around the middle of the paper... told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, meaning nothing. (Act 5 Scene 5 Lines 17-29) is what Macbeth says when he hears the news that Lady Macbeth is dead. The quote talks about his feelings about what life is like for him now, with his thoughts on how everyone dies sooner or later and how life is rather pointless. Macbeth's desire for power has changed him so much from what he was in the beginning to the point that his wife's death doesn't even bother him. In conclusion, the pursuit of absolute power ultimately corrupts both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth turned into what people never thought could happen, a dishonorable man and a dishonorable king. This need for more power is what slowly suffocated Macbeth until he was killed by Macduff. Absolute power will continue to grip and control people like Macbeth forever, unless we all learn from our mistakes and the past.