How does Shakespeare's "Macbeth" explore what it takes to be a good leader?
In Shakespeare's ‘Macbeth’, we see various examples of leadership. There are two main leaders, the first is King Duncan, the reigning monarch and the second is Macbeth, who betrays his king and takes over the throne. Duncan is portrayed as a generous man who wants the best for his kingdom. However, at the time the play is set, in Eleventh Century Scotland, Duncan's kingdom was under attack from rebels led by the Thane of Cawdor and MacDonald. We do not see Duncan in battle, which indicates that he is not a physically fit king but he is still revered by his people as indicated by Macbeth’s remark "the loyalty I owe…pays it's self". Also the supernatural element, such as the witches, would have been a threat to his kingdom and would have required a strong and powerful king which he was not; Duncan is kind, generous but weak, therefore, he would have been an easier target for Macbeth. Macbeth is strong and brave in battle. He becomes a dictator who runs his kingdom through fear ultimately; whoever crosses his path is murdered. (leadership style)
The time that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, in 1606, was during the reign of James Ist. Shakespeare was part of the "King’s Men" and perhaps because of this he needed to write a cautionary tale warning people about the consequences of regicide to please the king. This would have been in Shakespeare's interest. Because of religious beliefs at the time, people thought that killing the king would mean going to hell. This is because people believed that kings were chosen by god this was also known as the "divine right of kings" this is one of the reasons Macbeth has very real doubts about killing the king. “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man” this could suggest that although he has only thought of the terrible crime yet he feels like it is already changing him as a man “doth unfix my hair”. This shows that it is a true sin to kill a king who was chosen by god. "Macbeth" was written just after the Gun Powder Plot. This was the attack of King James Ist who is a Scottish king, they were trying to overthrow the throne. Macbeth plots to kill a Scottish King and overthrow the thrown but Macbeth succeeds.
Shakespeare explores leadership through the genre of tragedy. The genre of tragedy had evolved from Ancient Greece. The original tragedies had only one actor dressed in a costume and mask. This would allow him to impersonate a god. These performances often dealt with the wrongs and rights of society and showing how committing crimes such as murder would result in punishment. Shakespeare could have got his idea for "Macbeth" from this as in the play it shows the consequences of committing murder. He got the majority of his inspiration from the Holinshed's Chronicles this was an account of Scottish history first written in 1577. Another minor source that Macbeth may have used was Demonology, written in 1599 by King James, which shows that even at the time that "Macbeth" was written people still feared witches, this meant that he could easily reach people’s imaginations and strike fear within them. In Holinshed's Chronicles, it talks about how Donald murders his king and is plagued by bad weather and guilt that prevents him from sleeping and eats away at him with regret and trepidation. This relates very closely to Macbeth after he has killed Duncan and similar effects of not being able to sleep. This simple monosyllabic phrase "sleep no more" shows that now Macbeth has committed the unforgivable sin he will now be unable to rest because his conscious will not allow him to do so. This is because only the innocent are allowed to sleep peacefully. This is the true sign that Macbeth realises the consequences of regicide.
Duncan sets an example of being a respected and an ideal leader. Shakespeare changes the “Duncan” found in Holinshed’s Chronicles and changes him into a more cherished leader to show the ruthlessness of killing a king. Duncan speaks in a more formal manner compared to other characters in the play, for example, Duncan says “The castle hath a pleasant seat” compared to Banquo’s “no jutty, frieze” showing that he uses short-term language, unlike the Kings very formal English. When Macbeth comes to murder Duncan he hesitates, Duncan was a well-respected faithful king so when it came to murdering him Macbeth had many doubts. It was his although it is the ambition, which is already struck inside him, with Lady Macbeth pushing him forward to murder Duncan; he is already committed in his heart to murder Duncan. Duncan’s murder is committed off stage and is not described. The audience only can only see the bloody hands of Macbeth. The aftermath and effect on Macbeth are greatly described. An example of his guilty conscience is: How is't with me, when every noise appals me”
this represents Macbeth’s guilty conscience beginning to deteriorate his insides. Once Macbeth sees the blood on his hands he immediately thinks that it is stained forever “Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood” this overwhelms Macbeth.
Banquo has many good qualities, unlike Macbeth. In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Banquo is also an army general much like Macbeth. Meaning he is a leader of a section of Duncan’s army. He is portrayed as a good leader; he is faithful and respectful and does not commit regicide against Duncan. In Holinshed’s Chronicles, Banquo plays the role of Lady Macbeth. He plots with Macbeth against Duncan and encourages Macbeth to kill Duncan. In Shakespeare's “Macbeth” he is similar to Macbeth in some regards. For example, Banquo is open to human hungers and aspirations. Although he does not have quite the same ambition and drive as Macbeth which is awoken by the witches and spurred on by Lady Macbeth. Macduff acted in contrast to Macbeth. He is loyal to Duncan. He plays a big part in “Macbeth” because he is the first to find the corpse of Macbeth, he also finds out about the murder of his wife and children. This is what drives his ambition to take personal revenge against Macbeth who planned the murder of his family Macduff wants Macbeth to be “within my sword’s length set him” showing that if Macbeth is close enough Macduff will strike him down with revenge for his wife and children.
Edward the confessor is portrayed as a good leader. We first hear of the king of England in Act 4 scene 3 this is when Malcolm glorifies King Edward by telling people about his “healing benediction” and his “heavenly gift of prophesy” This shows that Malcolm respects and idolises King Edward. Shakespeare may have included him in the play in this way to show that the King of England is good. Edward is, therefore, a much better leader than Macbeth he is a virtuous and caring king. Edward was also a very religious man much like his people. Because he believed in the “divine right of kings” he believed he could heal people with his belief’s and powers. He is also resentful of evil spirits much like the witches and tries to help his people by banishing them from his lands. Unlike Macbeth, where he uses them as his main source of advice. Shakespeare would have included them in the play because Shakespeare was part of the king's men who wrote for plays for the king and for this reason would have wanted to flatter the king with their work.
Overall the structure of the play does impact how we see certain characters. Macbeth is the main example of a bad leader. He runs his kingdom like a dictator
ship having anyone that comes in his path is brutally murdered. This is Macbeth’s fatal flaw. He does not think that his actions and assassinations will ever be found out absolute power corrupts absolutely. There are many different examples of good leaders some better than others. Duncan is an example of a good leader although not perfect, he is faithful to his people and generous. Although he is an old man and not physically strong enough to be a true king leading his people into battle. Not all scenes in this play are shown. For example, all the scenes with the witches are shown as this can relate to people at the time because people at the time that the play was set and written people believed in witches. Also because of the time people where not as accustom to watching bloody murder as we are in this modern era because we have become desensitized due to films and television. The murder of Duncan is taken place off stage with just the noises of the stabbing following with Macbeth walking on with bloody hands” I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?”. The structure of the play is simply in chronological order meaning one can read the play and would still be able to make sense of what is going on. The play is set over five scenes meaning it fits into Gustav Freytag model of dramatic tragedy. It starts with a build-up of tension and continues into a failing plan and finishing with a catastrophe. In real time the actual Macbeth reined for 17 years which is different to the play where it is portrayed as Macbeth having a short reign and being an unstable leader.
In conclusion, Macbeth does explore what it takes to be a good leader. Malcolm comes across as a righteous leader. He helps to come up with the plot along with Macduff to overthrow Macbeth “That chambers will be safe”. Much like his father he is still a kind and generous king who respects his people. Yet is more cunning than his father. Because of Malcolm’s age, he is able to be more physical and is a better warrior, as he helps Macduff with the attack on Macbeth’s castle. Malcolm is depicted as a better leader as he is true to his people “My thanes and kinsmen, Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland”. In this regard, Malcolm is similar to Macbeth in some aspects. Although Macbeth has no respect for his people as he ran his kingdom like a dictatorship, meaning that Malcolm and Macbeth do not have a lot in common. Shakespeare may have included these massages to pass across to King James the idea of what a good king is. So James may have learned to be a fair king yet still have authority over your people. In contrast to modern-day Macbeth is not too dissimilar to the dictators of our time like Kim Jong Un who runs North Korea of fear and lies. Macbeth is also similar to Donald Trump who has fired people who disagree with his policies, only Macbeth had them murdered!