Evaluating Leaders

One of the most respected and cherished leaders in Macbeth is King Duncan. This could be because of the numerous good qualities he has, such as respect for others and beliefs of equality. He was honest to his subjects and was always looking for their best interest. Macbeth himself has a hard time debating whether or not he should kill Duncan. "So clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking-off" (1.7.18-20). This statement shows that Duncan was a good king and that Macbeth didn't feel right about killing him. This is an important part of the play because Macbeth is faced with making the hard decision of whether or not he should kill him. At the same time he is being pressured by Lady Macbeth to do so, which in the end finalizes his choice of actually killing him. Part of why this decision is so hard is because Macbeth knows that everyone will be upset about his death. "That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself and falls on th'other" (1.7.25-28). We know that he is well liked because when he is murdered by Macbeth the whole community is devastated and cannot believe that anyone would kill the noble and honorable King Duncan. This also connects to the society versus individual theme this play can portray because Macbeth is thinking about his own needs versus the public as a whole.

"Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange, and oftentimes to win us to our harm the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles to betray's in deepest consequence" (1.3.120-124). This quote matches Machiavelli's ideas about deceit and appearance versus reality. Banquo is saying that what the witches told them was strange and that it probably would not happen. The witches were tricking them and making them believe something that wasn't necessarily going to be reality. Later in Act 2 Macbeth starts thinking about the consequences of killing King Duncan. "Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know" (2.1.81-82). Macbeth was saying that he would not be able to live with himself if he actually killed King Duncan. He meant that if he were to appear like he had nothing to do with the murder he would have to hide his bad qualities and mask them with good qualities. He also would be altering others perceptions of him. This also directly goes back to Machiavelli's ideas on appearance versus reality. If Machiavelli were to evaluate Macbeth as a leader he would probably be ok with all the bad things that he has done, because after all he did say that the ends justified the means. These are only two examples of how Machiavelli's advice has shown up in the play so far and I think that they will continue to do so as the characters are forced to make more decisions.