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    The Abuse of Power Sample Essay

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    Power can affect individuals differently, as shown in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and Enright's "A Property of the Clan". In "Macbeth", Banquo remains cautious of the witches' prophecies, while Macbeth's ambition is awakened and leads him to commit murder to gain the throne. Macbeth also becomes increasingly paranoid as king. "A Property of the Clan" explores how uneven power between men and women allows abuse, as seen through Ricko's sexist views of Tracy. It also shows how social pressure affects Jared more than others. Both works illustrate that power impacts people unequally based on its distribution and their own personalities.

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    The Abuse of Power Sample Essay

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    2K views2 pages
    Power can affect individuals differently, as shown in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and Enright's "A Property of the Clan". In "Macbeth", Banquo remains cautious of the witches' prophecies, while Macbeth's ambition is awakened and leads him to commit murder to gain the throne. Macbeth also becomes increasingly paranoid as king. "A Property of the Clan" explores how uneven power between men and women allows abuse, as seen through Ricko's sexist views of Tracy. It also shows how social pressure affects Jared more than others. Both works illustrate that power impacts people unequally based on its distribution and their own personalities.

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    Power can affect individuals differently, as shown in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and Enright's "A Property of the Clan". In "Macbeth", Banquo remains cautious of the witches' prophecies, while Macbeth's ambition is awakened and leads him to commit murder to gain the throne. Macbeth also becomes increasingly paranoid as king. "A Property of the Clan" explores how uneven power between men and women allows abuse, as seen through Ricko's sexist views of Tracy. It also shows how social pressure affects Jared more than others. Both works illustrate that power impacts people unequally based on its distribution and their own personalities.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    2K views2 pages

    The Abuse of Power Sample Essay

    Uploaded by

    api-327257065
    Power can affect individuals differently, as shown in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and Enright's "A Property of the Clan". In "Macbeth", Banquo remains cautious of the witches' prophecies, while Macbeth's ambition is awakened and leads him to commit murder to gain the throne. Macbeth also becomes increasingly paranoid as king. "A Property of the Clan" explores how uneven power between men and women allows abuse, as seen through Ricko's sexist views of Tracy. It also shows how social pressure affects Jared more than others. Both works illustrate that power impacts people unequally based on its distribution and their own personalities.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 2

    Year 10- The Abuse of Power L.

    Eves

    The Impact of Power in Shakespeares Macbeth and


    Enrights A Property of the Clan- Sample Essay 1
    Power is the ability or strength to do something; it refers to a position of authority or
    control. There are many different types and uses of power, and power is often unequal in
    both its distribution and value. This means that power impacts on individuals in different
    ways. Both Shakespeares Macbeth and Enrights A Property of the Clan explore the
    impact of power. Through an analysis of these two drama texts, examining the use of
    techniques including asides, characterisation, juxtaposition, dialogue and diction, this essay
    will explore the ways in which power can affect people differently.
    Shakespeares Macbeth explores the power of ambition and how it affects people in
    different ways. This is made clear through the juxtaposition of the reactions of Macbeth and
    Banquo upon hearing the witches prophecies in Act I. In an aside, Banquo comments Look
    how our partners rapt, emphasising that Macbeth is distracted, deep in thought after
    being hailed as King by the weird sisters. In contrast to this, Banquo is cautious, warning
    Macbeth that oftentimes to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us
    truths| Win us in honest trifles, To betrays| In deepest consequence. It is clear that Banquo
    is not as easily taken in as Macbeth, and is aware that supernatural beings often seduce
    men into devious actions and lead them to their downfall. Despite this warning, Macbeth
    chooses to act on the prophecy after his ambition is further awakened by Lady Macbeth,
    killing Duncan and usurping the throne. Banquo, however, chooses to remain cautious. This
    juxtaposition of character, therefore, serves to emphasise that the power of ambition does
    not impact upon all men equally.
    Macbeth also examines the impact of gaining power on an individual, with Macbeth
    becoming increasingly paranoid as the play progresses. Shakespeare uses a soliloquy at the
    beginning of Act III to reveal Macbeths thoughts as he begins to fear that his position as
    King is threatened by Banquo. Macbeth states To be thus is nothing| But to be safely thus.
    Our fears in Banquo stick deep, expressing his insecurity, as Banquo is suspicious of how
    Macbeth has gained the throne. Further, the witches have prophesised that Banquos heirs
    will sit on the throne, increasing Macbeths fears that his position as King is not safe while
    Banquo and his son are alive. Shortly after this soliloquy, Macbeths paranoia leads him to
    hire murderers to kill his friend, in order to maintain power. Through Macbeths increasing
    tyranny, therefore, Shakespeare illustrates that gaining power can often have negative
    consequences, including guilt and paranoia.
    A Property of the Clan also investigates the ways in which different types of power can
    affect individuals. One idea explored in the play is the impact of the uneven distribution of
    power between men and women in a patriarchal society. Through the characters of Ricko
    and Tracy, Enright draws attention to this imbalance and its devastating consequences. For
    example, in a conversation about Tracy after her death, Ricko states, She was a total moll.
    A real cock teasing little whore. Ask anyone. Here, diction helps to convey that Ricko has a
    deeply sexist attitude towards women, with words such as moll emphasising that he sees
    Year 10- The Abuse of Power L. Eves

    Tracy as a sexual object, and that he blames her for her own assault. In this way, Enright
    highlights that the uneven distribution of power in a patriarchal society allows men to abuse
    their power over women.
    Enrights play also highlights the impact that social pressure can have on some individuals.
    While some characters, like Rachel and Glen, do not let social pressure dictate their actions,
    Jared is always concerned with how he will be judged by his mates. This is made clear in a
    conversation between himself and Ricko, where he admits to witnessing Tracys assault.
    When Ricko is critical of Jared for telling him what he saw, Jared replies, Im not a dobber.
    But I had to tell someone. I had to let it out. Its eating me. Enright here characterises Jared
    as someone who is deeply conflicted between his need to prove his loyalty to his mates, and
    his guilt over not helping Tracy. While his guilt weighs heavily on him, social pressure to stay
    silent proves more powerful, and he does not go to the police to tell them what he knows. It
    can be said, then, that while social and peer pressure does not have a large impact on some
    characters in the play, it is significant in affecting Jareds choices and actions.
    In conclusion, both Enrights A Property of the Clan and Shakespeares Macbeth use
    dramatic techniques to illustrate that power impacts upon individuals in different ways.
    They communicate the idea that the unequal nature of power in its types, uses and abuses
    means that its impact on individuals is equally diverse and varied.

    WORD COUNT: 804 words

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