While a fictional story, "The Pit and the Pendulum" is based on the real events of the
Spanish Inquisition, during which religious and political leaders inflicted torture upon
dissidents. In the context of this story and the greater history of the Inquisition, how
does power corrupt? Why does it corrupt? What effects does this have? Cite evidence
from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your
answer.