A leader can be defined as a person that guides the way especially by going in advance (Merriam-Webster). This world has seen many leaders, however one cannot say that all of them have been the most effective. An effective leader should portray strong traits, cognitively, socially, and psychologically. They must exhibit a strong ethical stance, the ability to manage emotions, and a strong sense of self-efficacy. In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, there are many leaders that represent a significant role, such as Hamlet and Claudius. The decisions of these leaders, such as murder or seeking revenge is what drives the plot in Hamlet. Claudius highlights the key aspects of an effective leader, whereas Hamlet does not, reminding one that there
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An ethical stance results in accepting responsibilities and being accountable for one’s own actions. Hamlet does not take responsibility as a leader when he plans the murder of his own friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This is because “they… make love to [the] employment [,]/they are not near [Hamlet’s] conscience” (VI.ii.60-61). As an effective leader, Hamlet should have explained to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that spying on him is a sign of betrayal, and should have led them into the correct path of being loyal. Hamlet’s plan to kill them does not represent the actions of a good leader. Hamlet does not take responsibility as a leader, yet he takes partial accountability for his actions. Hamlet states that “[i]f [he] from himself be ta’en away,/[a]nd when he [is] not himself does wrong Laertes/[t]hen Hamlet does it not…/[his madness] does it” (VI.ii.221-224). Although Hamlet agrees that it is him who causes Laertes trouble, he puts the blame on his illness, even though it is just an act that he puts on. On the contrary, Claudius takes responsibility as a leader, and takes accountability for his actions. As a leader, Claudius does his job by sending “[Hamlet] to England…along with [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]./[Claudius believes that the] estate may not endure/[h]azard so dangerous as doth hourly grow/[o]ut of his lunacies” (III.iii.4-7). Claudius takes responsibility as the King, and sends Hamlet away as he believes that Hamlet will cause trouble to the general public. Claudius also takes accountability for murdering the King when he states that “[his] stronger guilt defeats [his] strong intent” and that his “[cursed hand [is] thicker than itself with [his] brother’s blood” (III.iii.42-46). Even though Claudius does not admit in front of everyone that he kills the King, he admits to himself that he is guilty of this crime. Therefore, Claudius can be
An ethical stance results in accepting responsibilities and being accountable for one’s own actions. Hamlet does not take responsibility as a leader when he plans the murder of his own friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This is because “they… make love to [the] employment [,]/they are not near [Hamlet’s] conscience” (VI.ii.60-61). As an effective leader, Hamlet should have explained to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that spying on him is a sign of betrayal, and should have led them into the correct path of being loyal. Hamlet’s plan to kill them does not represent the actions of a good leader. Hamlet does not take responsibility as a leader, yet he takes partial accountability for his actions. Hamlet states that “[i]f [he] from himself be ta’en away,/[a]nd when he [is] not himself does wrong Laertes/[t]hen Hamlet does it not…/[his madness] does it” (VI.ii.221-224). Although Hamlet agrees that it is him who causes Laertes trouble, he puts the blame on his illness, even though it is just an act that he puts on. On the contrary, Claudius takes responsibility as a leader, and takes accountability for his actions. As a leader, Claudius does his job by sending “[Hamlet] to England…along with [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]./[Claudius believes that the] estate may not endure/[h]azard so dangerous as doth hourly grow/[o]ut of his lunacies” (III.iii.4-7). Claudius takes responsibility as the King, and sends Hamlet away as he believes that Hamlet will cause trouble to the general public. Claudius also takes accountability for murdering the King when he states that “[his] stronger guilt defeats [his] strong intent” and that his “[cursed hand [is] thicker than itself with [his] brother’s blood” (III.iii.42-46). Even though Claudius does not admit in front of everyone that he kills the King, he admits to himself that he is guilty of this crime. Therefore, Claudius can be