Similarities Between Malcolm And Macbeth

Macbeth Essay

Throughout this play Malcolm and Macbeth display several characteristics; both strengths and weaknesses, yet each in their own way and timing. These characters are similar in some ways, but having like attributes doesn’t necessarily mean they are identical. One can be congruent, yet totally deviating at the same time. In analyzing the play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare collected evidence in comparing the characters and their different ways of displaying similar characteristics; ambition, courage, and weaknesses are elaborated and portrayed, giving a better understanding of the characters.

The characters Malcolm and Macbeth are both similar in a way that they show ambition, however, an ambition very different

from the other. Ambition is a strong desire to do or achieve something which requires much determination and hard work. When comparing the two, Malcolm is the sensible one. He has a pause button and is able to control his ambition and resist temptations, such as being pulled into bad situations. Macbeth, however, is incapable of this, he has no off switch and cannot handle anything less than the best. In addition to, ambition is as well about being a careful and wise thinker, which Malcolm would say is inevitable to becoming king, because of this Malcolm,the absolute rule follower makes each decision carefully. Conversely, Macbeth had murder plans thrown at him and didn’t know how to get out of them. He eventually turned into a ruthless killer who craved power and power alone. This exceptional hunger for power even ended Macbeth’s life short. Thus, ambition is diverse, Malcolm and Macbeth each had a controlled setting and showed their ambition for a different reason and or matter.

In this play, courage is an attribute that not everyone has, some show courage, others, a lack thereof instead. Malcolm builds up enough courage to join the English army, this sure wasn’t an easy step for him to take as timid and naïve characteristics tend to overtake him at times. Every time he always weigh's out his decisions for the better, this one was to overtake what was rightfully his; the throne of course. Complementary, yet contrary to this, Macbeth had to build up enough courage to kill King Duncan. Even though he had to dig up his sense of courage, it was, however, a selfish act of courage. Unlike Malcolm, who had good intentions in being courageous. Yet in the same way Macbeth soon lost his courage and threw in the towel, he was unable to fight Macduff and instead died in battle against him. Whereas Malcolm did not give up, instead he showed courageous leadership and was nearly on his way to leading a successful kingdom. Comparing the two characters, they both showed courage at one point or another despite their situations they each stood their ground and defended themselves for their decisions.

In our world today everyone has at least one weakness, people cannot just be good at everything, there is always some sort of drawback.

Malcolm and Macbeth too have flaws, each to their own they are flaws none the less. Power control and timidity are some of Malcolm’s most noticeable weakness shows this as he flees Scotland and goes all the way off to England. He simply was too timid to face Macbeth head on. Malcolm was afraid that he would become another one of Macbeth’s suspects of murder. He certainly wasn’t ready to take any chances. On the contrary, Macbeth took advantage of this weakness and killed Malcolm’s father, Duncan. As he knew this would make Malcolm even weaker than his appearance. Complementary to this, Malcolm has poor judgment, he misjudged Macduff and thought of him as an enemy. Truthfully, Macduff fled Scotland, abandoning his wife and kids to pursue Malcolm and all his potential. In contrast to, Macbeth’s number one weakness is being easily manipulated and controlled. He doesn’t understand the word “no” and how to use it, his wife, Lady Macbeth managed to convince her husband that killing King Duncan was the right thing to follow through with. Despite this, Macbeth is very gullible, so much so the witches tricked him into believing the prophecies. He genuinely thought the weird sister's visions were true. To sum this up, Malcolm and Macbeth both have weaknesses, some even used them to the others advantage. Even small weaknesses have a way of debilitating some aspects of one’s

life.

In conclusion, Malcolm and Macbeth expose reciprocating characteristics, both strengths, and weaknesses. Even though they share like qualities, Malcolm and Macbeth really have totally separate personalities. In a way that two people can demonstrate such resemblances, yet still be very distinctive at the same time. In analyzing collected evidence throughout the play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, character comparisons and their different ways of displaying similar characteristics; ambition, courage, and weaknesses elaborated and portrayed, giving a better understanding of the characters throughout the five acts.