The_Great_Man_Theory

The Great Man Theory The Great Man Theory: How Great Is It' In 1840, British historian Thomas Carlyle delivered a string of lectures “On Heroes, Hero Worship and the Heroic in History”. Here Carlyle submitted his “Great Man” theory—that exceptional individuals are responsible for instigating momentous change. The theory states that most ages are unable to achieve their full potential because of some kind of political or cultural gridlock. It is only when a great man—a charismatic, powerful leader—enters that the gridlock can be broken and the potential can be realized. To evaluate the theory’s usefulness, its components can be analyzed and applied to two examples of “great men” of history: Alexander of Macedon, and Gaius Julius Caesar. From these examples, it can be concluded that the “Great Man” Theory is seriously flawed: it oversimplifies by placing all responsibility in one person. When addressing whether a “Great Man” intended to do what he did, the theory is helpful in identifying important actors. After resolving disturbances and revolts within Macedonia and Greece, Alexander the Great thrust into Asia Minor in a campaign that would eventually level the Persian Empire. He pushed through Persia on to the frontiers of great, theory, man, alexander, power, one, caesar, rome, leedom, however, drake, conquest, world, three, rule, new, intended, even, empire, case, within, roman, left, greece, government, conquered, change, cannot, beneficence, before, army, alexander’s, achieve, while, through