In Samuel Johnson’s, The Vanity of Human Wishes, he chooses to integrate satire into his poem to make fun at people’s desires, hopes, and dreams. Generally in his poem, Johnson pokes fun at everyone, not only for their imperfections, but also, for their inability to determine what is more important in society. The theme often demonstrated is the desire for power, for money, and for beauty, which creates corruption. Universally, everyone around the world is greedy, or has a desire for something or someone. In the beginning of the poem, he explains how everyone around the world has the desire for power. Johnson writes, “Let Observation, with extensive view, Survey from mankind, from China to Peru” (Johnson 2843). Johnson claims everyone around
…show more content…
A solid example is Democritus, a Greek philosopher advocated that humans should live life with humility and moderation. Johnson claims, “Once more, Democritus, arise on earth, with cheerful wisdom and instructive mirth” (2844). Instead of being power hungry and being wealthy, he wants to live a simple life and wants to continue to learn through knowledge and to live from their life experiences. Another key example of failed corruption was from Thomas Wolsey, “In full-blown dignity, see Wolsey stand, Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand” (2846). Wolsey was once a great friend of King Henry VIII, but he was not able to allow Henry to remarry. Consequentially, William Laud was someone who was killed for being to power hungry, “Rebellion’s vengeful talons seize on Laud. From meaner minds, through smaller fines content” (2847). Once someone is too selfish and too powerful, he is bonded to die from his greedy choices. Finally, one other person who failed to keep his land and power was Xerxes. Johnson claims, “Great Xerxes comes to seize the certain prey, And starves exhausted regions in his way” (2848). Xerxes wanted more land and wanted more power, but was defeated in his attempt to invade Greece. These allusions teach a famous line, “Absolute power, corrupts absolutely,” which demonstrates no matter how hard one wants to have more, he or she will create a downfall for themselves. The risk and corruption always comes from wanting more and having
A solid example is Democritus, a Greek philosopher advocated that humans should live life with humility and moderation. Johnson claims, “Once more, Democritus, arise on earth, with cheerful wisdom and instructive mirth” (2844). Instead of being power hungry and being wealthy, he wants to live a simple life and wants to continue to learn through knowledge and to live from their life experiences. Another key example of failed corruption was from Thomas Wolsey, “In full-blown dignity, see Wolsey stand, Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand” (2846). Wolsey was once a great friend of King Henry VIII, but he was not able to allow Henry to remarry. Consequentially, William Laud was someone who was killed for being to power hungry, “Rebellion’s vengeful talons seize on Laud. From meaner minds, through smaller fines content” (2847). Once someone is too selfish and too powerful, he is bonded to die from his greedy choices. Finally, one other person who failed to keep his land and power was Xerxes. Johnson claims, “Great Xerxes comes to seize the certain prey, And starves exhausted regions in his way” (2848). Xerxes wanted more land and wanted more power, but was defeated in his attempt to invade Greece. These allusions teach a famous line, “Absolute power, corrupts absolutely,” which demonstrates no matter how hard one wants to have more, he or she will create a downfall for themselves. The risk and corruption always comes from wanting more and having