After Macbeth brutally murders King Duncan for power and the title of King of Scotland, the country is in complete mayhem. Although the son of Duncan, Malcolm, has fled to England in order to remain safe from Macbeth’s dark intentions, he continues to stay strong and portray many specific attributes necessary to be a good ruler. In Act IV Scene iii of William Shakespeare’s famous Macbeth, Malcolm proves himself fit to be a successful king of Scotland. Malcolm certainly learned from his father’s mistakes. He saw first hand the consequences of being too trusting. Unfortunately for Duncan, this tendency to trust people quickly was his one tragic flaw, leading to his downfall and murder. Malcolm is well aware that in order to be a good ruler, one mustn't be too unguarded. This is one of Malcolm’s great attributes that …show more content…
In order to prove himself to be a good candidate as king, it is necessary he knows the attributes it takes to be a good king so he is even more unlikely to let down Scotland. He proves this when he states, “Virtues that become a king - justice, truth, temperance, stability, generosity, perseverance, mercy, humility, devotion, patience, courage, constancy -...” (Act IV Scene iii Lines 92-94) In this quote, Malcolm certainly proves he knows what type of person it takes to be a ruler. One more key trait Malcolm expresses in this scene is he truly wants what is best for Scotland and has the country’s well-being always in mind. Similarly to his father, Malcolm always puts Scotland and it’s citizens before himself and will do anything to defend it. He demonstrates this when he states, “The real me is yours and my poor country’s to command.” (Act IV Scene iii Line 132) This simply means that he will put his country first and he knows that without him, the country will become even more hectic and Macbeth will continue murdering people to continue his
Gather round my brothers, a call to arms. I am Malcolm, the son of King Duncan. Before we embark on bringing justice back into this kingdom, let me offer you some words of advocacy. We come here not as individuals, rather a single force for justice and truth. Macbeth is no match for this brave hearted army. Today this turmoil ends, today we fight!
In Malcolm’s opinion, children symbolize independence and interdependence; he shows both of these themes. After Macbeth commits regicide and treason towards Malcolm’s father, the son of the overthrown sovereign is independent enough to realize the danger in his home nation and flee towards England. As a result, Macduff reports Malcolm and his younger brother Donalbain to be “stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them suspicion of the deed” (2.4.36-8), which means that the locations of the two regal brothers are unknown. Here Shakespeare demonstrates Malcolm’s independence from both Duncan and Macbeth by showing that he can rely on himself in order to detect danger and flee. He utilizes his freedom to continue his royal pursuits in the court of England, under the command of King Edward as opposed to Macbeth. As Malcolm demonstrates his independence because of his maturity and royal status, he believes in his youth and royal blood showing his freedom. However, the Prince of Cumberland demonstrates interdependence in Scene 4.3 upon Macduff’s arrival in the royal court of England under King Edward. His mission of treason is to convince Malcolm to fight the terrorism committed by Macbeth and seize the crown from Macbeth to gain the promised
Here we see Macbeth's ambitions begin to appear. He begins to consider the possibility of becoming king! There is a chance that King Duncan might choose Macbeth, a cousin, as his successor, but Macbeth’s hopes are destroyed when Duncan names his son, Malcolm.
Transition word Even though Macbeth was a great military leader, he had many flaws that made him a terrible leader for Scotland. His time as king brought upon a dark era on Scotland. He was similar to modern dictators, such as Hitler and Stalin because he persecuted his political enemies and easily felt threatened because he was insecure about himself. At first his ambition led him to kill Duncan and take over the kingdom, then his insecurity led him to kill all his political rivals because he feared losing the kingdom-ship. Macbeth recognized Duncan's outstanding skill-set as a king, but overlooked Malcolm. Even though Malcolm was more qualified than Duncan to be the king because of his ability to not be deceived easily. Macbeth wanted to be like Duncan, but really he should have attempted to be like Malcolm.
Malcolm has close ties towards Scotland because he grew up there and he was eventually going to become the king, which makes him resent the way Macbeth treated his country. Also, Malcolm tells Macduff that “black Macbeth/will seem as pure as snow” (4.3.52-53). Malcolm uses a simile to describe how if he took over Scotland than Macbeth’s rule would seem morally right. However, Malcolm is lying to Macduff during this passage, in order to test his loyalty first. Malcolm knows that if he became king, his ruling would not seem bad compared to Macbeth’s. He has to test if Macduff genuinely cares about Scotland because the last time Duncan and Malcolm trusted someone, it ended in horrific murders. Malcolm lies to Macduff during this passage conveying that he developed trust issues due to
Malcolm referring to Lady Macbeth is valid after she wishes evil upon herself to participate in the murder of Duncan. The statement of Lady Macbeth
Far from his family, MacDuff anxiously flees to England seeking the aid of Malcolm in an attempt to regain Scotland from Macbeth’s tyranny. In England, MacDuff successfully locates Malcolm and in his worried state implores for Malcolm’s involvement in Macbeth’s removal from the throne. Few, including Macduff, fears that Macbeth’s “boundless intemperance” has gone unchecked for too long, as his unquenchable lust for power is proving to be detrimental to Scotland’s well being. Under Macbeth, the once joyous state of Scotland is now disturbed by Macbeth’s unrelenting mission to eliminate all prophesied hindrances to Macbeth’s longevity as king.
24-26). Macbeth explains how humans have short times of either being famous or powerful. However, he states how they are eventually forgotten and their fame or power would become worthless. This theme he reveals ironically happens to Macbeth shortly after he leaves the dead Lady Macbeth. Later on, Macduff kills Macbeth and brings Macbeth’s butchered head to Malcolm. Malcolm speaks to his soldiers and regards to Macbeth by stating, “Producing forth the cruel ministers / Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen,”(ll. 35-36). This is said after Malcolm specifically says, “ We shall not spend a large expense of time,”(l. 27). Malcolm wants the dreadful time of Macbeth’s tyranny to be forgotten quickly by the Scottish people. Therefore, Macbeth’s thoughts on how humans are “poor players” and are forgotten easily goes hand in hand with the end of the
His use of that word demonstrates that great or not, he will always stick to his ruler’s side, and he will stay loyal no matter what. He also uses the words “no time broke my faith” which display that he has never been unfaithful to his beliefs. A loyal leader is always good to have because he or she will never betray his or her people. He or she will also not betray the powers he or she is given as the ruler of a nation. Another example the displays another of Malcolm’s leadership skills is when he is talking to Macduff in England. At first Malcolm lied to Macduff about his true intentions, but after he saw Macduff is trustworthy he told Macduff the truth about his plans, “…My first false speaking / Was this upon myself” (4.3.145-146).
A ruler cannot be only collaborative or only authoritative in the way they lead. In The Republic, Plato says “Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one…” (Source C). Plato is saying that a leader must have rational thinking in order to be effective. A ruler should never be completely collaborative or completely authoritative or else they will not be successful. Conversely, in Macbeth, Macbeth ruled by using only authoritative leadership. In Macbeth it says “As calling home our exiled friends abroad that fled the snares of watchful tyranny, producing forth the cruel ministers of this dead butcher and his fiendlike queen” (Act 5. Scene 8. Lines 67-70) (Source A). Malcolm is saying that they are finally free of King Macbeth and everything bad that he has done. This shows that Macbeth was not successful as a leader since some of the people planned to kill him and went through with it just to stop him from being the King of Scotland. Macbeth was not a successful King. Using strictly only one kind of leadership is never completely effective, but collaborative leadership is more effective than authoritative
For instance, when Macduff confronts Malcolm about the tyrannical rule of Macbeth in Scotland and about Malcolm’s needed aid, Malcolm seeks to make sure that Macduff is not simply trying to trick him into going back to Scotland to face Macbeth’s wrath. He does so by first stating all of his faults and how Macbeth’s disgraces would pale in comparison to
yet he still becomes the ruler of Scotland. This is a surprising idea that is complicated by recognizing that rulers can develop over time with powerful influences from peers and loved ones. In Act IV, Scene 3, Malcolm lists twelve virtues of a good king. He lists justice, truthfulness, temperance, stability, generosity, perseverance, mercy, humility, dedication, patience, courage, and fortitude. Macbeth himself only possesses about 3 out of these 12.
... he decided to betray one of his country’s nobleman. Macbeth had Macduff’s family killed. It was considered very “low” to kill women and children. This did not stop Macbeth. He had become obsessed with killing and betrayal. He could not stop himself, nor did he want to. Power was more important to him then his morality. Eventually, Macbeth is killed and Malcolm becomes the King of Scotland. The disease of betrayal dies with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Luckily, it did not infect any other influential, powerful people.
...ng. He can not go back to Scotland where Macbeth is planning his murder and neither can he bring Malcolm to Scotland since he himself said, he would make a horrible king. Satisfied, Malcolm finally tells him that he was just testing Macduff’s loyalty and he was content with it. Although, a doubt remains in Macduff’s mind and he says ‘such welcome and unwelcome things at once ‘Tis hard to reconcile.’ (4/3/153)Macduff is confused as to what is real yet again. He can not decide whether to trust Malcolm’s ‘appearance’ or not.
Macbeth, the king of Scotland, is dead! Lord Macduff’s army stormed Dunsinane’s gates yesterday afternoon, and Macduff himself decapitated the king! After Macduff had killed Macbeth, he gave the crown to Malcolm, who Duncan had deemed as his heir. Malcolm is to be crowned at Scone later this month, and many people believe that with Macbeth gone, Scotland can finally regain composure. The king is dead! Long live the king!