Bill Cumming, a business coach, once said, "One of the greatest impediments to successful business is the ego of the owner and managers. The bigger the ego, the smaller the concern is likely to be for customers and staff: a surefire formula for disaster." Likewise, in ruling a land, one must not be ignorant nor prideful rather be open and humble. Oedipus and Macbeth, both powerful yet oblivious leaders, ruled in a different manner, however, both rulers ultimately caused their own inevitable defeat and their failure as rulers.

Oedipus, the King of Thebes, was a rueful ruler who was suppressed by the avenging gods and was brought to his destiny by his own ignorant doings. Fate brought Oedipus to kill his father and marry his mother, however, he led himself along a search for the truth and answer. A prophecy was given to Oedipus that stated, "I should...