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…
contribute to him being a good ruler. In Act IV scene iii, Malcolm tests Macduff by lying about himself, to see if Macduff truly has Scotland’s success as a priority and to see just how much he could trust him. This is shown when Malcolm says, “Macduff, this noble passion - proof of your integrity - has wiped all black suspicions from my soul and satisfied my mind as to you truth and honor. By many such ruses, devilish Macbeth has tried to trick me into his power. Simple wisdom forbids me to be persuaded easily.” (Act IV Scene iii Lines 115-119) This proves that Malcolm has learned from his father’s mistakes and isn't too trusting of people, which is a major attribute necessary to be a good king. Another noteworthy attribute that demonstrates Malcolm’s ability to be king is his negotiating skills. Malcolm is extremely good with negotiating and proves this when he has to consult King Edwards of England to set up an army that’s ready to battle against the corrupt Macbeth. He shows this when he says, “Indeed, before your arrival, old Siward with ten thousand warlike soldiers, fully equipped, was about to set out.” (Act IV Scene iii Lines 132-135) In addition, Malcolm comprehends the principal characteristics needed to be an exceptional ruler.
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
power. Last, but certainly not least, Malcolm portrays his maturity and ability to manage people in this scene. Evidently, in order to be a great leader, you must be able to manage people and control them well. In this scene, Macduff learns the tragic news that his family has been murdered back in Scotland. Macduff is at a loss and as anyone can imagine, completely overwhelmed and upset about this news. However, Malcolm turns Macduff’s sadness and craze into purposeful emotions and anger against Macbeth, encouraging him to fight back. He shows this when he says, “We’ll make our great revenge the medicine to cure this deadly grief.” (Act IV Scene iii Lines 214-215) Malcolm knows exactly how to control a person’s emotions and make them useful; another great attribute a king must have. To summarize, Malcolm indefinitely proves himself fit to be a grand ruler of Scotland in Act IV Scene iii of Macbeth. Malcolm demonstrates his abilities to never let his guard down, be a good negotiator,understand what it takes to be an exemplary king, put Scotland’s best interest before anything, and to always portray his maturity and manage people well. Overall, this scene evidently shows Malcolm would be a much better king than Macbeth and even his father, Duncan.
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...
...hecies had an effect on him because he became more and more intrigued by the thought of becoming king. Lady Macbeth did bring up the idea to kill Duncan, but she did not take full action in the murder. If Macbeth wouldn’t have abused his power and kept calling for the witches he wouldn’t have been so corrupted. Being a bold and loyal warrior he abused his power by taking his fate into his own hands. The witches talked to him about his future as a royal subject to the king and then he realizes that there isn’t a difference because Malcolm was going to be named the next king. If he wouldn’t have listened to what other have told him all along he would still believe in himself. He is supposed to be the man with great integrity and set good examples for the other warriors, but he doesn’t realize that when he achieves the power he can’t be able to rule in peace.
Duncan believes children show nobility, Macbeth is jealous of many people’s children, and Malcolm, a child of Duncan, shows independence.
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.
The tragedy of Macbeth opens up with him returning home from a victorious military battle, displaying his honor and excellence. This is, also the first time he is presented with the opportunity for power. His success covered him with glory in defense of the crown. Macbeth is busily basking in his own glory and soaking up credit when Duncan basically steals his spotlight from right over his head, proclaiming Malcolm, Duncan's son, as the heir-apparent. This action also belittles Macbeth's achievement, since the procession of the throne is not necessarily dictated by bloodlines. Duncan is basically announcing that Macbeth, while noble, is inferior to his son Malcolm. This is where Duncan provokes Macbeth to hate him and also points out what Macbeth must do to become King. Duncan even tempts Macbeth, by pronouncing him as the Thane of Cawdor. This gives Macbeth a taste of power and he begins to have a desire for more. This desire or ambition is his fatal flaw. Shakespeare, by using Macbeth as a guide, shows that even the honorable men can fall into the hands of evil just like everyone else. No one is safe from his or her own ambitions of power and success. It is clear that Macbeth ends up a far more brutal and simple...
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).
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
In Act 4, Scene 3, lines 37-53, Malcolm demonstrates his trust issues due to Macbeth breaking his trust and worsening the state of Scotland. During this passage, Malcolm is talking to Macduff about overthrowing Macbeth. Malcolm describes Macbeth with “the tyrant’s head” (Shakespeare 4.3.45). Malcolm uses the word “tyrant”, which generally sends out a negative connotation signifies his dislike towards Macbeth. Macbeth killed King Duncan, Malcolm’s father in order to become king, despite the fact that Duncan perceived Macbeth as a loyal, trustworthy character. Thus, signifying Malcolm’s hesitancy to trust other people, such as Macduff. Furthermore, Malcolm describes to Macduff how “[Scotland] weeps, [Scotland] bleeds” (4.3.40). Scotland use to be a robust country, but after Macbeth took over it became chaotic.
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
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.
To begin, Macbeth’s determination to achieve his place as king demonstrates that one’s ambition can become consuming, and that it can blind one to that which is truly lies in one’s path. For instance, after being told by the three witches that he “shalt be the king hereafter” (1.3.50), Macbeth becomes obsessed with the prospect of becoming king, beginning to use any means necessary to achieve this position. Even after attaining this position by killing Duncan, he begins to see
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
In the end, the rightful heir to the throne, Malcolm becomes the King of Scotland and everything returns to normal. What ‘appears’ real is real and there are no false ‘appearances’ from people anymore.
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.