#4 - absolute power

The quote "absolute power corrupts absolutely" has been proven to be correct more often than not. It means that even leaders with their people's best interests in mind can be corrupted by their positions of power. This is especially true for leaders who come to power unexpectedly; for example, Creon in "Oedipus Rex". One must become accustomed to dealing with such high levels of power; if not the power is often overused and abused. A great example of this corruption is in the 'rein' of Hitler in Germany in the 1900's.

Before Hitler was elected, he seemed to know what the Germans needed and most people liked him. Whether or not he actually did have the people's best interest in mind to begin with is debatable. After Hitler came to power he was still widely liked. However, when Hitler began to conquer and persecute people, his power grew. He was methodically taking over all of Europe and its people. As he progressed in this endeavor, he became more and more insane and his thirst for power increased. He was a completely different person than the people assumed. It is this kind of corrupt power that is frightening to the people subjected to it. All the same, it was not uncommon during the times of kings and queens, such as in "Oedipus Rex".