Having power may seem like it can get you anything you want which can be true but in “Viva La Vida”, by Coldplay, and The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, having power didn’t really get anyone anywhere. The song “Viva La Vida” is about someone that had power over everything but in the end, it only brought him regret and sorrow. One character named Villefort in “The Count of Monte Cristo” was also a man of enormous wealth and power. Taking advantage of his wealth and power, he gained himself a whole list of enemies, which eventually seeked for revenge. A common theme in both of these is the influence of power on a man. Both writers uses multiple techniques to convey the theme of the effects of having too much power. In “Viva La Vida” and The Count of Monte Cristo, the writers’ use of metaphors and imagery …show more content…
In “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay the author uses metaphors to portray the influence of power. “I know Saint Peter won’t call my name/ Never an honest word/But that was when I ruled the world” (38-41). The Metaphor in this phrase compares the biblical meaning of the man not getting called down to heaven because of his sins. Because of the negative use of power that is written in the song, the man had not done very good things. The evidence states that when he “ruled” the world he was not an honest person and lied his way into things. When there is an abuse of power then bad things will always come out of it. The reader can infer that his abuse of power did not bring him to do great things and he has become a different man. The same image was portrayed In The Count of Monte Cristo, where Villefort’s secret was revealed. “A thunderous explosion burst forth from the entire courtroom…” (Dumas 476). The metaphor used is comparing what Villefort said to a thunderous explosion. At this moment his scandalous secret
The definition of power is the ability to influence the behaviors of others or to change the course of events. Power can be gained through hard work or power can be given to you In a book published in 1937, this problem couldn’t be more prevalent. This book is Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. The story tells of two migrant workers, who are incredibly close friends. They goes place to place looking for a job during The Great Depression era. They eventually find a ranch in Soledad, California. Where they will face characters and incidents that will decide the fate of their dream. Powerful people are not as powerful as they seem, but is given power due to societal hierarchy or physical traits.
What is power to a human? As time has gone by, there have been many forms of control and influence in the world. Many strive to achieve total rule over a society or group of individuals. Yet the question still presents itself to the average man. Why does man desire power so greatly even though there is visible trouble that follows? Shelley’s Frankenstein, Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”, and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, whether through the situation or the character themselves, depict the evils and hardships due to an imbalance and poor management of power.
In the Count of Monte Cristo and Viva la Vida, both the author and songwriter use imagery and metaphors to establish and portray the ideas that power blinds one from the reality of the world and power gives the semblance that every nuisance can be solved with it.
Power is a strong ability that is used to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. (add reference) Almost everybody wants power or has power. Most people do not seem to be happy unless they have some sort of power. The entire world is evolved around power, from presidents, terrorists, parents, all the way to the hierarchy of the animal kingdom. The tragic play titled King Lear by William Shakespeare, the protagonist is named King Lear. He has troubles with his powers of being a king and has a tragic downfall, after many mistakes of trying to maintain it. King Lear and A Streetcar Named Desire have a large quantity of difficulties on their own, but the two plays also share a lot of the same problems. In the play A Streetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams, the protagonist but not the tragic hero is Stanley Kowalski. He is married and lives with Stella Kowalski, who’s sister is Blanche Dubois, the tragic hero of the play. Stanley also has troubles with his power within, which causes a lot of mistakes. In the plays, King Lear by
that power is truly a contradiction; the word itself evokes images of monarchs and times long
Power is very dangerous, as shown in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The novel explores the use of power in both the hands of good and evil and for success and for failure. Also, how some characters respond to having power. An examination of William Golding’s LOTF will show how fear is powerful and how the characters use that to their advantage. Also, the power shifts between the characters and the aftermath of that.
In the philosophical novel The Fall by Albert Camus power is a major theme that comprises the novel and guides the life of the main character, Jean-Baptiste Clamence. To Jean-Baptiste having power over others is a necessity and key component to how he leads his life. The main way that Jean-Baptiste feels that power over others is when he is judging them. He also ties power to physically being above someone, such as on top of a mountain, and by taking a God-like position of authority over others.
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. After Edmond escapes from prison, he increases his power from the money he gains from the Isle of Monte Cristo to be able to eradicate his enemies. In The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas the author uses imagery and details to portray the theme of power.
Many empirical things can often still be debated and refuted by experts, but there is a general admittance to the idea that power is the root of many evil things. In all fairness, we must admit that a many evil things can in their essence, be great. And that is one of the many theories advanced by Niccolo Machiavelli in his well-known work, The Prince. The Prince serves a dual purpose of both teaching a person how to attain power, but also how to retain it. Incredibly enough, history has proven most of Machiavelli’s findings and theories to work well, while some have failed to effectively secure power for the rulers who did, in fact try them. His work, does obviously highlight one main fact, which is, that power is a well sought-after attribute, and most who attain are willing to do whatever is necessary to keep it.
Mario Puzo, the author of “The Godfather” does an excellent job of showing the many outcomes that power has on people. He writes about Don Corleone, the head of the Corleone family whom has unlimited power and influence throughout the east coast, yet he remains a respected business man and negotiates with his pupils rather than command them. “Don Corleone was a man to whom everybody came to for help…it was not important that you had no means to repay him…it was only required that you proclaim your friendship.” He believed in good ties, and solid relationships. He used his power to advance his loved one’s happiness.
When somebody abuses a great amount of power, that individual can lose all their power. The struggle against someone who abuses power is perfectly depicted in the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey. When someone abuses their power, they can impose certain feelings and actions onto others. If someone tries to conceal their personality, . Finally, if someone abuses power and is constantly challenged by another individual who is trying to take the power abuser’s power away from them, the power abuser will always be frightened of his or her challenger. When someone abuses power and takes full control, they can lose all their power and respect quickly.
What would you do if you discovered a secret that can make your life better? Not just any ordinary secret, but a special one that would tell you how to gain power/ control over others and maintain it. Would you share it with others? Well that’s what writers have been sharing for centuries; yet many of us are still unaware. The very concept of Power is extremely important especially since we the people can give it to others but never ourselves. Well two contemporary authors in regards with the subject of power are Niccolo Machiavelli, and Robert Greene. Although generations apart, both are very influential writers that have had an ever lasting impact on human history through their works. Machiavelli with his the Prince, and Greene with the 48 Laws of Power. Although Robert Greene as an author surfaced quite recently in 1998; however, the amount of notoriety he carries has quickly earned him a spot on the list of influential authors. Though both books are subjected towards attaining and maintain power; however, they differ highly in its targeted audiences, and the manifestation of major themes. Such as Machiavelli, in The Prince mainly addresses the methods of achieving power in the political world by highly favoring rationality while disregarding moral ethical values. Thus exemplifying the famous phrase of “the end justifying the means”. Whereas Greene, on the other hand also addresses similar issue; however, he does it in a way that exposes the inner workings of the power struggles taken place in everyday situations. Overall, I believe that upon reflecting on the works of Robert Greene, and Niccolo Machiavelli one can clearly trace back resemblances and distinctions with each other. However, I’m consider that the reasoning behind ...
From the displays of power that have been shown through out this essay, we see that this story is a story about power. Power is the story is primarily about peoples need for some small amount of power to survive in life and to feel that hey have a purpose within their society which every society it may be whether its is Gilead or Nazi Germany or modern day Britain.
Power is implied in the very essence of Machiavelli’s writing. It is tied in with the greed,
To become powerful, is to become corrupt, and The Tragedy of Macbeth is a prime example. In William Shakespeare's tragic tale, a young nobleman soon becomes corrupt when he is given the opportunity to become king. His need for power and safety drives him to corruption, ultimately killing off anyone who stands in his path: innocent or not. Throughout the play, many characters portray the impact power has on a relationship: Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, Banquo and Macbeth, Macduff and Macbeth and many more. While all these characters were affected by power in the play, Banquo and Macbeth's relationship best demonstrates the effect of power.