A Tyrannical Leader verus a Benevolent Monarch in Shakespeare's Macbeth A tyrannical leader is one who has absolute power derived from oppressive or brutal use of force. It is one not chosen by others or appointed by divine rights, but rather one who takes the power without restraint by laws either moral or mortal. A benevolent monarch is one who reins over a kingdom with the purpose of goodwill. He is one who has preeminent power. He works for the purpose of doing good. Macbeth-A Leader: A leader may be either, or both, a tyrant and benevolent, although not at the same moment. This describes Macbeth. He was both a benevolent monarch and a tyrannical leader within his reign. The difference occurs in the source. Thesis: This paper will focus on the traits of a tyrannical leader and a benevolent monarch as described by Shakespeare in Act IV, scene iii, and demonstrate how they apply to Macbeth and other characters involved in the play. Furthermore, this paper will address how the characteristics are magnified depending on which source is being reviewed by the reader. Traits: Shakespeare outlines the traits of both a tyrant and a benevolent monarch in the dialogue between Malcolm and Macduff in Act IV, scene iii. "Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin that has a name…my lust, and my desire…." (Pg. 73) Here Malcolm lists those traits, which he proclaims to have which he truly does not. These are the traits Shakespeare sees as those of a tyrannical leader. One who is extravagant and greedy in his ways. A tyrant is a leader who leads through lies and deceit that lacks patience or empathy. Shakespeare sees a tyrant as one who is evil and sinful; one who lusts after women and desires all things that are not his. A benevolent monarch, on the other hand, would be one who possesses none of the traits of a tyrant. One who has kingly graces would be, "As justice, verity, temp'rance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, fortitude…" (pg. 74) A benevolent leader is one who comes from divine right. He would be truthful, generous, and humble in his actions. His motives would stem from honor and a desire for the greatest good. Macbeth --Holinshed: In Holinshed's accounts, Macbeth is portrayed as an ambitious captain; however, he reins for nearly 10 years as a benevolent monarch/leader.
Words like “dark” and “treacherous” and also tyrant are to name but a few. In Macbeth we see how the kingship is potential for good or evil. Macbeth is seen as a hero for some. “Brave Macbeth” to refere. “If good, why do I deal to that suggestion/ whose horrid image death and unfix my Hair/ and make my seated heart knock at my ribs/ against the use of nature? Present fear.”(1.3.147-155) As said in this quote, Macbeth has stated that he has no fear against whatever he will face showing good kingship because of the amount of power is in his hands. Macbeth is not the only one with great power. King Duncan performs two of the basic duties of a king: punishing the bad and rewarding the good.”My plenteous joys/ Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves/ in drops of sorrow- sons, kinsmen, thanes,/and you whose places are the nearest, know/ we will establish our estate upon.” (1.4.39-49) Duncan shows that not everything is easy and not everything is even to some by hand. Everyone must earn what they are given.Malcolm unlike Macbeth is able to tell appearance from reality in his superiority as
Perhaps the most fundamental theme of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is the inherent corruptibility of even a seemingly good man when ambition turns to greed, and Macbeth himself exemplifies this concept throughout the play. While at the outset he is seen to be loyal to his king, generally considered trustworthy, and displaying numerous other laudable qualities, Macbeth ultimately succumbs to the influence of those around him and becomes unequivocally evil, setting aside all his previously held morals and coming to be driven only by his lust for power. This transition is brought about by a wide variety of factors and plays an integral role in the development of the plot. In his tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare employs
A tyrant is defined as any person in a position of authority who exercises his or her power oppressively or despotically. To become a tyrant, the person must not only have an absolute need for power, but
One of the most important characteristics for a prosperous leader to have is grace, which Macbeth knew nothing about. He was a war-hero, and was uninterested in what society perceived him to be. His superstition and dependence on the witches visions show his weakness as a character, and especially as a leader. His beliefs in the witches eventually lead him down the wrong path when he returns to the witches for another proclamation of their visions, which all are apparently true, but misunderstood by Macbeth. In the end, as the visions become reality, Macbeth realizes that he has failed to grasp a hold of the tangible aspects of his life, and wa...
In order to keep our two characters separate, the Shakespearian character will be referred to as Macbeth and the actual historical character as MacBeth or King MacBeth, depending on the time. The following areas will be examined to find the “real” MacBeth: heritage and title, personality, deeds and death. The heritage will determine the legitimacy as heir to the throne and title to reflect rank and class; their personality, deeds and death to illustrate their worthiness of being king. In 1005 MacBeth MacFindlaech was born to Findlaech MacRuaridh and Doada, daughter of Malcolm I, making him in line to be King. It was around this same time that his grandfather (Malcolm II) became king. As was required for the children of important chieftains, M...
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press New Folger Edition, 1992
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a play centred around opposing forces trying to gain power in the succession for the throne of Scotland. Macbeth, in the beginning, is known to be a noble and strong willed man, who is ready to fight for his country. However, one may see that Macbeth has a darker side to him, he is power hungry and blood thirsty, and will not stop until he has secured his spot as King of Scotland. Though Macbeth may be a tyrant, he is very nave, gullible, and vulnerable.
William Shakespeare draws Macbeth as an ambitious usurper who nevertheless has certain virtues: courage, righteousness, and a devoted love for his wife. In doing so, Shakespeare shows he understands the dual nature of human beings. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a courageous and noble warrior, who valiantly fought for his King, until he finally meets the witches. “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name”, (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 16). Dramatic irony is tied in as only the audience know that Macbeth will soon betray the king – displaying his duplicity. Macbeth is praised for his courage in battle by the Sergeant. “O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!” replies Duncan, and we, the audience see the esteem Macbeth is held in and the nobility he has shown as a loyal solider and kinsman. This leads to Macbeth being ennobled with the Thaneship of Cawdor which later engenders in him hope for inheriting the crown. Soon, Macbeth meets the witches and they prophesise that Macbeth will be crowned king of Scotland – unleashing his passion for ambition whi...
According to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, a tyrant is someone who rules by causing suffering to the people and land they preside over.(Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, n.d.) Tyrants are self-centered and concentrate how to attai...
Prior, Moody E. The Drama of Power: Study in Shakespeare's History Plays. Shakespeare For Students, Vol. II. Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1999.
In Machiavelli’s The Prince, he stats that it is better to be feared than loved, but that one should avoid being despised and hated. With these concepts at hand we can compare these philosophies to one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays Macbeth. This play can be analyzed through two important characters Macbeth and Duncan. They both have their own tragic flaws and how they came to power. But Macbeth had gained his title illegitimately.
Ambition can consume leaders, nonetheless some leaders can handle the pressure that comes with having to lead individuals like Abraham Lincoln. However some leaders like Adolf Hitler and Macbeth allowed their ambition to get the best of them and cause harm. Hitler allowed his ambition to drive him to make catastrophic decisions such as trying to conquer other (stronger) countries, make dangerous weapons, torturer, and kill millions of innocent people. Whereas Macbeth allowed his ambition to kill the people that loved and supported him the most in order to gain control of the kingdom. Both Macbeth and Hitler illustrate leadership, but turned mad in order to consume more power.
It is in human nature that the more power one desires the more corrupt actions one must do to attain it. In Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth, a Scottish noble's craving for power leads him to do terrible deeds that leads to his demise. Shakespeare shows that power corrupts by using Macbeth who corrupts under the thought of have power over others. Macbeth becomes corrupt under the thought of becoming king and gaining almost complete control over the people that he rules. Macbeth wants the power badly enough to do horrible deeds such as commit regicide. Lady Macbeth becomes very ambitious and allows herself to become seduced to the idea of becoming Queen. Her ruthlessness urges Macbeth to commit regicide by questioning his love for her and his own manhood.
Macbeth chooses the wrong path to accomplish his ambition. Killing Duncan is wrong and he knows it but can’t help himself. An example for dominance of power in addition to Macbeth can be presented in Brian De Palma’s movie Scarface. Al Pacino as Tony Montana creates excessive wealth from distributing cocaine because he thrives for power. As the movie progresses, the drugs make him crazy and he kills more and more people who die in violence followed by the main character. Similarly, Macbeth’s ambition for power becomes his weakness which finally brings tragedy to his character. He is a tragic hero because he can’t seem to help himself even though in the beginning he was good and was a hero in Scotland. Similarly to Dr. Mathur, Faith Nostbakken argues that “The witches do not completely determine Macbeth’s actions. If they did, Macbeth would simply be a victim rather than a tragic figure who suffers the consequences of his own choices. As he wades deeper and deeper into his own darkness, pulling the kingdom down with him, the weird sisters spur Macbeth to his own corruption…In the service of evil rather than good, they equivocate in their prophecies, encouraging destructive behavior.” (Understanding Macbeth
Macbeth is a very complex character whom reflects man's thirst for power through the drastic changes of his personality; thus being one of the slightest reasons in which make this intriguing character, greatest of all Shakespearean’s well-known works.