In the book, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, leadership is an important concept that is defined by many characters throughout the book . Shakespeare claims that a leader must be selfless, loyal, and most importantly , resourceful. Throughout Malcolm's test of Macduff, Malcolm describes the aspects of a leader that he is not, indirectly showing the reader Shakespeare's opinion on the aspects of a good leader. Macbeth however, is conveyed as the antithesis of a good leader, and he lacks all the traits that Malcolm describes a good leader should have. Shakespeare initially emphasises the importance of Loyalty when Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to his country. When Malcolm admits he was testing Macduff he says “Macduff, this noble passion,/...Child
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Shakespeare shows how a good leader must take quick action in order to change, or perpetuate an outcome. Macduff shows resourcefulness when he goes to Malcolm and says “Each new morn/... New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/... Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds/... As if it felt with Scotland, and yelled out/... Like a syllable of dolor.” (IV.III.5-9). When Macduff realizes the problem Scotland has faced he quickly chooses to go and request help to stop the problem immediately. By doing this, Macduff shows how a resourceful leader has the knowledge to act quickly in a dire situation. However, while Shakespeare chooses to represent the traits of a good leader through Macduff he also represents a bad leader through Macbeth. Macbeth is consistently given information through supernatural means and shows a lack of knowledge in his rash decisions based on this information. “The castle of Macduff I will surprise,/... Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword/... His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls /... That trace him in his line.” (IV.I.171-174). Macbeth shows his inadequate intelligence when making this decision. By choosing to kill Macduff’s family, Macbeth shows how he does not learn from his previous mistakes. Throughout the play, Macbeth hallucinates whenever he commits murder, and it can be clearly seen that he is harming himself whenever he does so, yet he irrationally chooses to murder again. With no second thought to the consequences, Macbeth’s lack of resourcefulness is shown through Shakespeare's portrayal of his repeated rash
Shakespeare shows how a good leader must take quick action in order to change, or perpetuate an outcome. Macduff shows resourcefulness when he goes to Malcolm and says “Each new morn/... New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/... Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds/... As if it felt with Scotland, and yelled out/... Like a syllable of dolor.” (IV.III.5-9). When Macduff realizes the problem Scotland has faced he quickly chooses to go and request help to stop the problem immediately. By doing this, Macduff shows how a resourceful leader has the knowledge to act quickly in a dire situation. However, while Shakespeare chooses to represent the traits of a good leader through Macduff he also represents a bad leader through Macbeth. Macbeth is consistently given information through supernatural means and shows a lack of knowledge in his rash decisions based on this information. “The castle of Macduff I will surprise,/... Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword/... His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls /... That trace him in his line.” (IV.I.171-174). Macbeth shows his inadequate intelligence when making this decision. By choosing to kill Macduff’s family, Macbeth shows how he does not learn from his previous mistakes. Throughout the play, Macbeth hallucinates whenever he commits murder, and it can be clearly seen that he is harming himself whenever he does so, yet he irrationally chooses to murder again. With no second thought to the consequences, Macbeth’s lack of resourcefulness is shown through Shakespeare's portrayal of his repeated rash