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Authority and Macbeth "Authority poisons everybody who takes authority on himself" (Vladimir Ilyich Lenin), this quote applies to the play, Macbeth. In the play, Macbeth kills the respected King Duncan so that he can be king. However, during his rule, Macbeth demonstrates that he is incapable of mastering the power and responsibilities of being a king. His drive for power and maintaining his power is the source of his downfall. Macbeth is not meant to …

…and thus, was not as highly regarded as Duncan. Macbeth is unable to control the power and responsibilities of being king. His drive for power and maintaining his power is the reason for his downfall. Macbeth, because he does not hold the correct bloodline, is not meant to be king. Macbeth also abuses his authority, and causes his people to lose respect for him. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" (Lord Acton).