The corruption of power, or the power of corruption is a common theme found in texts of many different types of media and in many societies and cultures around the world.
In the texts I have selected, I have come to the conclusion that, all characters in the pursuit of power are corrupt.
In the texts I have selected, which include, ÃÂThe Crucible,ÃÂ ÃÂThe Godfather,ÃÂ ÃÂAnimal FarmÃÂ and ÃÂAkira,ÃÂ the portrayal of corruption is closely linked to that of power.
How is corruption of power shown/represented in the texts?Lord Acton, a key influence on this essay, once said, ÃÂAll too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control.ÃÂThis quote could hold no more relevance to any other text than that of ÃÂThe Godfather.ÃÂ In ÃÂThe GodfatherÃÂ the story revolves around that of Michael Coleone, and his rise to power as the head of a ÃÂthe family,ÃÂ a gang that deals in various underground activities.
MichaelÃÂs character undergoes a dramatic development as the film goes on. At the beginning of the film we can see that Michael appears to be a moral and upright character. He is a war hero, and is not involved in anyway with the ÃÂfamily business.ÃÂ However as the film progresses, and Michael stats gaining power in the family, he becomes more amoral, firstly killing Sollozzo, a gangster who attempted to take MichaelÃÂs father, Vito CorleoneÃÂs, life. At this sudden and dramatic change in character Michael justifies his revenge saying, ÃÂItÃÂs not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business.ÃÂ The term, ÃÂjust businessÃÂ is used throughout the film to justify corrupt behaviour, immediately associating the character as materialistic and amoral. The film hence suggests that Michael, perhaps like all of us, always had the potential to be materialistic, (and therefore amoral,)but did not previously hold a position...