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Macbeth Quote Analysis

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Imagine: Standing at the polling place, ready to cast a vote for the future leader of this nation. There are a million and one reasons to vote for each candidate, as both of the candidates managed to say things that appeal to the people. But have their qualities come to mind? Macbeth tells the story of a once beloved warrior who was influenced by the words of his wife, which slowly led him down the path of a tragic hero. The five act play had the reader watching the mistakes and poor decisions that the main character, Macbeth, made to lose the love of the people. The young man heard a prophecy of his fate to become king, which influenced him to murder the current king, Duncan. He slowly went mad, as he chose to kill those who doubted him in …show more content…

Thomas Hobbes’, Leviathan, discusses this balance of power. The author discusses the idea of democratic elections, and how the people are sacrificing power by choosing a leader; therefore, said leader is expected to respect and adhere to the wishes of the people. The author refers to this idea with the quote: “the people secure is to confer all their power and strength upon one man that may reduce all their wills, by plurality of voices, unto one will: which is as much to say, to appoint one man to represent them all” (Hobbes). Hobbes is implying that, in order for the people to trust the leader, the leader needs to take into account their needs and make the best decisions for the society, rather than just for themselves. Macbeth is seen ignoring the wills of the people. An example of this is when he chose to murder king Duncan. Macbeth says in an …show more content…

The quote shows him admitting that this is not what the people would want, but later in his speech, he talks about how his ambition is what will drive him to do so. Macbeth sees an opportunity for self gain, and choses to go against the wills of the kingdom in order to get there. This contrasts the idea Hobbes mentions in his excerpt. Macbeth’s actions can be defined as ineffective leadership, by not including the community into decisions that will affect the community. To conclude, effective leaders incorporate the people’s wills into their decisions making, but ineffective leaders make decisions based on selfish

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