Duncan v.s. Macbeth

1. King Duncan was a kind and noble leader. His people loved him for his fairness, loyalty, and kindness. King Duncan put faith into the people he surrounded himself by. He gained the trust of his men and the respect and loyalty that came in turn; he says "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust." (1.4.13-15) The people of Scotland trusted Kind Duncan deeply and never tried to overpower him, but what if someone got that idea? This is what happened when Macbeth was given a prophecy that he shall be king, "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (1.3.48) Learning this Macbeth and Lady Macbeth became power hungry and fate driven and plotted their attack on King Duncan.  King Duncan ran his country being the "nice guy" but I think that he should have installed more rules and regulations in his leadership. He might have had even more respect if he had ran his country with a more firm yet gentle hand.

2. I think that Machiavelli would judge Macbeth poorly. First of all, Macbeth isn't even truly of royal stature because he was titled by the desperation of a new king. When Malcolm and Donalbain fled, they left no remaining air, and since Macbeth was so well known for his leadership and battle skills, he was the first to be thought of in replacing the King. I think that Machiavelli would have lost some respect for him because of this reason. I also think that Machiavelli would like Macbeth because he is unsuccessful. Scotland is in a way falling apart around him and all he cares about is himself and the power he gains form ruling Scotland. This relates to the quote "benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better" by Machiavelli. Macbeth was given everything that a King earns right off. He was given power, riches, and virtually everything he needed to dictate Scotland. I think that throughout the story, Macbeth become more and more an example of the quote by Machiavelli " Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle,hypocritical, and greedy of gain." This is shown strongly at the point in which Macbeth orders for Macduff's loved ones to be killed for no reason. I think that because of the poor leadership and appearance that Macbeth has shown, Machiavelli would not agree that he is a good leader.

Macbeth: Act 1

Appearance vs Reality:
  Machiavelli wrote in The Prince "It is not essential that a prince have all good qualities but it is most essential that he should seem to have them." This means that to gain the respect and obedience of your people you must always act like you know what is going on and you must always show good character towards your people. It  could also mean that you will lie to get what you want. In Macbeth, I think the characters that most represent these statements are the Weird Sisters; "fair is foul, and foul is fair."

Gender Roles:
Throughout the story of Macbeth, gender evaluation is considered throughout the whole story. Like now, men and women are expected to have the qualities and strengths of the gender that was bestowed on them at birth. For example, in Macbeth men are expected to inflict wounds, kill and be honorable in war. If you were to show that you could do all of these things, you were greatly respected. The quote by King Duncan "So well thy words become thee as thy wounds: They smack of honour both," (1.3.43-44) represents that because of his wounds, he is honorable. Generally as a woman you would do the more "womanly chores" such as cleaning, cooking, supporting your husband quietly and respectfully; but Lady Macbeth took matters into her own hands when she believed that Macbeth wasn't strong enough to kill King Duncan. " That tend on mortal thoughts, unsec me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood, stop up th'access and passage to remorse, that no compunctiouns visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, more keep peace between th'effect and it. Come to my womens breasts , and take my milk for gall.." (1.5.40-46) Lady Macbeth is planning the kill herself; taking the place of her husband.

Loyalty and Honor:
In Macbeth, honor is portrayed very deeply through the royals and war heros. If you show great strength, stability, and leadership in battle then you are well appreciated. Macbeth fought incredibly and impressed the King very much. Because of this, and the death of the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth was named the new Thane of Cawdor. Machiavelli's quote "It is not the titles that honor men but the men that honor titles." shows that men who are loyal and honorable towards their leaders and peers are the men that are the most respectful and  the most appreciated. I think that Macbeth betrays this by killing King Duncan.