Power Corrupts

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely" - Lord Acton 

This quote is completely and utterly true not only in real life, but in literature as well. If a ruler obtains absolute power, the ruler WILL become corrupt. This eventually leads to the ruler abusing the power he has currently by trying to obtain more power, which consequently will create the desire to obtain more and more power. Soon, that ruler will do anything to obtain or save that power, regardless of what liberties and rights would be squashed to obtain that power. In Oedipus, Creon had said that he did not wish to have the powers that Oedipus had, however in Antigone, once Creon had a taste of that power, he did not wish to lose it and began extremely irate at people who ignored his rulings- specifically Antigone.

The sad thing is how many examples there are of absolute power corrupting leaders in history. One example is Louis XIV.  Louis XIV began building the Palace of Versailles in 1661 because he became worried that he would lose the power he held in France. Once built, Louis XIV moved all of his royal court: nobles, officials, etc, to his palace so he could retain his power and keep all of his officials closer to him. The Palace of Versailles eventually became a symbol for absolute monarchy with Louis XIV having absolute power over his official.