The way ambition is translated into a leader's actions is what makes up a good leaver versus a bad one, and when does that ambition cross the line? The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a perfect example of poor leadership and how it can cause a nation to crumble. Excerpts from Confucius, The Analects, and Forbes Magazine’s, “Five Similarities Between Leadership and Parenting” are the perfect comparisons of good leadership qualities versus Macbeth’s dangerous ones. An effective leader employs qualities like tolerance, discipline, and restraint, while an ineffective leader is intolerant, impulsive, and does not utilize restraint. Still, though, both leaders share an overlap in ambition. One of the most important qualities that leaders …show more content…
An effective leader will use tolerance to lead unbiasedly and thoroughly, while ineffective leader lets their ambition lead them to decisions rooted in their intolerance. Shakespeare’s Macbeth states, “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest Chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day And with thy bloody and invisible hand Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale” (3.2.47-53). Of course, talking about Macbeth’s murder of Banquo that he is about to order. By killing Banquo, Macbeth shows no tolerance, acting only out of fear and not ever stopping to think of the consequences. macbeth’s ambition for the crown and his wishes to keep it get the better of him, and he kills a loyal friend because the witches tell him Banquo’s children will be his successors. Macbeth’s intolerance of Banquo and his actions following makes him a bad leader whose misfortune and mistakes just keep snowballing after Banquo’s death. To contrast this Confouis writes, “If a prince can govern his kingdom with tolerance and decency, what difficulty will he have? If he …show more content…
Macbeth shows his impulsivity in many examples throughout the play, one example being his murder of the Macduff family. “One cried “God bless us” and “Amen” the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands, Listening to their fear. I could not say “Amen” (2.2.37-39). Macbeth acts out of revenge while killing this innocent family, putting his wants above all others. Killing innocent people is the worst thing a leader can do, no one could be safe or secure under a leader like that. “This is why enforcing the rules, regulations, and procedures that have been put in place is so important. Allowing a child or employee to walk all over you will not create an environment of mutual respect and will make each individual less productive” (Forbes Magazine). The mutual respect that comes from discipline is a key part of a successful leader. This is one area Macbeth failed and Duncan succeed. Macbeth’s crazy and deranged behavior started to lose the respect of others and their confidence. This led to people going against him, an area where he could not enforce the rules and let people start to walk all over him. This quote paints a picture of this saying in the absence of discipline children will learn they can walk all over you. Impulsivity and discipline are exact opposites, one requiring time and
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” as said by John C. Maxwell. This reminds people about what it takes to be a great leader and has raised many controversies as to what a great leader is. Qualities like decisiveness, confidence, focus, and consistency are necessary to make a leader. Virtue, which is a behavior showing high moral standards , is not one of the necessary qualities. By analyzing literature and history, a person can still be a good and effective leader without virtue because they are consistent, credible, and have a vision of their goals.
The natural drive and ambition in an individual can be a great strength. If it goes unchecked, however, it can cause people to do things they would never have originally done leading to bad consequences. In Wiliam Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, there was a successful kingdom in Scotland; it had lucious land and mostly good people. King Duncan was a gracious leader. He loved reward and praising his loyal subjects.
Furthermore, the use of violence in the novel serves as a symbol of Jack's corruption, as he uses violence as a means to maintain control over the group, for example, when he leads the group to hunt and eventually kill Simon, and when he and his group attack Ralph's group. Similarly, in "The Tragedy of Macbeth", Macbeth, initially portrayed as a noble and honorable man, transforms into a ruthless dictator as his ambition and insatiable desire for power leads him to commit increasingly violent and nefarious acts. Macbeth's transformation is clear when he says "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other" (Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 25-27). This quote illustrates how Macbeth's ambition is the driving force behind his actions, and how it's an uncontrollable force that leads him to do terrible things. Furthermore, the use of bloodshed and violence in the play serves as a symbol of Macbeth's corruption, as he continues to kill to maintain his power, for example, the murder of king Duncan, and the massacre of Banquo and Macduff's
Wherever human beings are accumulated together in large numbers, they need leadership. Even a school needs a principle to mentor and escalate the school’s rank. Armies need generals to lead them to a courageous victory. Civilians need governments, captains of industry and intellectual leaders of thought as well. However, There are characteristics common to most great leaders that can be picked out.
Whether in a team, school, workplace, or even a government, great leaders are difficult to come by. Nevertheless, the impact that a great leader can have on others is immense. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the idea of leadership is of great significance. The protagonist Macbeth seeks to ascend to the throne of Scotland, and through some twisted means, he eventually does.
A king is to rule fairly over those he commands, this is proven as fact. However, Macbeth does quite the opposite once he obtains the throne of Scotland. He becomes a tyrant very quickly, his ambition rising to the point that he conspires with and helps two murderers hunt down and kill Banquo, his closest friend. He tells the men that he, “will advise you where to plant yourselves / Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’th’time /
Firstly, leaders need to exorcise decisions based on the intentions of the people. With these actions, good judgement is required and thought out planning is necessary. Macbeth is a prime example of how poorly his actions were for the people. Macbeth ruthlessly killed anyone who tried to oppose
Later in the play, one of the witches’ prophecies states that Macbeth should fear Macduff from taking his power as king. Since Macduff is currently out of Scotland, Macbeth decides to target Macduff’s family and servants instead. This decision contributes to displaying Macbeth’s poor leadership qualities by showing that he is impulsive and that his actions are fueled by anger and fear rather than logic or strategy. According to Forbes “Five Similarities Between Leadership and Parenting”, accountability is one of the most important qualities an effective leader has. “Showing up on time, taking responsibility for your actions, and feeling an obligation to uphold your word by doing what you say you will, are all qualities that parents want to instill in their children…” (Forbes).
Despite his ambition for his own descendants to become kings, Banquo does not act on it, and instead remains loyal to King Duncan and his successors. This loyalty ultimately leads to Banquo's death at the hands of Macbeth, but his integrity remains intact. Banquo's struggle to maintain his honour and integrity highlights the importance of staying true to one's values and principles, even in the face of
Macbeth failed to show moderation when he orders the death of his best friend eliminate risk for Macbeth’s own good. Scar failed to show moderation when he murdered his own brother to achieve the throne. Macbeth failed to show generosity when he welcomes Duncan into his home, a trap of death. Scar failed to show generosity when he refuses to share his food with his starving kingdom.
Let me bring you close to me and give you the benefit of my love and good will” (Shakespeare 1,4,29-34). It is shown to be understanding and more than fair as both Macbeth and Banquo had been the Thanes that had killed the traitor. Because of this he sees it fit for the both of them to be rewarded and makes sure to give Banquo an equal prize for Macbeth being named Thane of Cawdor. Machiavelli seeks to tell that rulers should look to be feared however he makes a certain point, “Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being feared whilst he is not hated” (Machiavelli 1). By being hated by their men it does not matter how much fear you impose as they will not want to live under you, making you even more susceptible to being overthrown because of greedy or hateful actions.
In the article, “Ethical Leaders vs Tyrannical Leaders,” it shows that tyrannical leaders don’t care or fear anyone, whether it’s their enemies or allies, and that does not show or present good signs of being a good leader. The article states, “Someone who produces results without caring about ethics — without caring whether the objectives sought are good or bad and how people are treated in order to achieve them — is an operator, not a genuine leader.” This is connected by Macbeth not fearing or caring what Banquo can or will do to his throne as king. This shows how Macbeth is starting to become more and more a tyrannical leader throughout the
Shakespeare shows kingship and leadership throughout all his plays, especially Macbeth. He shows how a king should be and how they should be chosen. But every king is going to abuse the power in some way, just like Macbeth. In the very beginning, Macbeth was a leader, a hero, and everyone honored him because his fame was on the battlefield when he led them through the battle. Macbeth was honorable and loyal, but over time he becomes obsessed with the idea of becoming king which leads to his demise.
This is what sets Macbeth apart from Hamlet - while Hamlet delays killing his uncle because of philosophical concerns mainly due to the fact that Claudius is “fit and seasoned for his passage” (3.3.88) when he is praying, Macbeth loses all honor once he decides that power is more important than relationships and sacrifices his conscience when he murders Banquo. Before the witches have gotten into Macbeth’s head, he is a very close friend to Banquo, just like Horatio is to Hamlet. However, once the witches give Macbeth the prophecy that he will become king, and after he has murdered Duncan, Macbeth starts to turn on Banquo, remarking that, “our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared” (3.1.52-54).
The desire for dominance and power can result in disregarding the humanity of others that stand in the way. On the journey to ultimate power, friendship is omitted and power is put first. In Macbeth, Macbeth is given the opportunity to become king, the greatest power, and seizes it. He encounters three witches who tells him a prophecy that he and Fleance, the son of Macbeth’s life long friend: Banquo, will become king. … …… MACBETH: