1) King Duncan, under Machiavellian standards, was not a good leader. Unfortunately, it was the qualities that made Duncan a bad "Machiavellian"-leader which the people loved him for. He was a kind, just king who placed trust in his people and always worked for the happiness of his people. When talking about the trader, the Thane of Cawdor (who was just executed), he says "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust." [1.4.14-14] Although the quality of trust is always wanted by the people, if a king wants to hold his power and continually possess the throne, he should disregard this attribute. According to Machiavelli, "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." King Duncan was one of the rulers who tried his best to be on the good-side of his people, and always do the right thing. This attribute is one of the things that led to his downfall, and to Macbeth becoming King. The love shown by his people is proven by Macbeth, when he speaks, "The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself. Your highness' part is to receive our duties, and our duties are to your throne and state children and servants which do but what they should by doing everything safe toward your love and honour."
2) Overall, there would be some good news and some bad news if Machiavelli were to judge the way Macbeth is ruling currently. In the beginning, including the process he went through to become King, Machiavelli would've been proud. "Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot." Macbeth follows this quote perfectly. He knows what he must do to become King; he must gain the trust of those close around him, and those close to the King. He has to appear completely innocent and as one of those people who would be hit the hardest from King Duncan's death; he did exactly this. Also, Macbeth didn't merely scare King Duncan off for a while in order for himself to become King; he straight-up killed him. In Machiavellian terms, he not only hit, but he hit hard. Now that he is King though, Machiavelli would've been so-so about how Macbeth is acting as King. He is starting to feel guilt for the murders he has committed, and he has actually started to go insane."Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain." Macbeth was definitely greedy of the gain; he went through the entire process of killing the King. Yet now, the hypocritical part is coming through. Because Macbeth is starting to feel guilt, his mind is slipping. He is becoming unstable. This factor will, in the end, most likely lead to his downfall, and the crown going to those who "rightfully" deserve it.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Blog Friday -- Macbeth Scene 1
1. Appearance vs. Reality
One of the major themes in Macbeth that connects the play to Machiavelli is the concept of Appearance vs Reality; what something appears to be, and what something actually is. One of the major themes of the play supports this major theme; in Act 1, Scene 1, when the Weird Sisters have gathered for their first meaning. The second to last line says, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (1.1.10) This means that events or happenings that appear to be fair, just, or equal are actually the opposite of just that; and vice a versa of that, events that appear to be unfair, cruel, and unequal are actually, in reality, fair. Throughout the play, the characters don't know this fact, so you go through the story seeing characters experience things that would normally be seen as just things, but they're actually for the worse. Machiavelli quotes, "It's not essential that a prince have all good qualities, but it's most essential that he should seem to have them." In short, the appearance and what the Prince seems to believe in is more important than who your ruler actually is and what his true morals are; his appearance vs his reality.
2. Gender Roles
Everybody in our everyday lives stereotypes what the job of a man or a woman in society should be. Women are supposed to be the caring, frail, loving ones while the men are seen as the hardy, strong, brave ones in society. This are our assigned roles in society. In Macbeth, there is one instance where this isn't true. In Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth receives a letter that Macbeth is about to arrive home, and that he has become Thane of Cawdor. In his letter, he explains the prophecy that the witches have told him and that he plans on killing King Duncan to fulfill his fate. Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth is too kind of a person to murder somebody, so she asks the gods to "unsex" her, and to take all pity, fear, and cowardice out of her body, for she herself plans to kill the King. This part of the scene goes against the general stereotypes set upon women by society; Lady Macbeth, herself, is acting strong, bold and murderous. These characteristics don't usually fall into the gender role of a women.
3. Loyalty and Honor
Loyalty and honor are two traits that are highly respected in today's society, and were also highly respected in Shakespeare's time and the time in which his plays take place. In Macbeth, King Duncan states, "He was a gentleman on whom I built absolute trust." [Talking about the old Thane of Cawdor, who betrayed him in battle] (1.4.14-15). King Duncan had believed that the Thane of Cawdor was a loyal and honorable person, and trusted in him to follow his orders and respect the king. After all of this, the Thane did nothing but betray; but it isn't as simple as that. This is an instance of foreshadowing what is going to take place with the new Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth. Macbeth, who King Duncan currently trusts, believes in, and just gave two promotions to, is going to eventually betray him by murdering him in order to become king himself. This future event that is going to take place can be related to the Machiavelli quote, "The ends justify the means." Macbeth cares very little that he was just promoted, or that he is highly respected by the king; he will go by any means to get what he truly wants and what has been concluded as his destiny; to become king.
One of the major themes in Macbeth that connects the play to Machiavelli is the concept of Appearance vs Reality; what something appears to be, and what something actually is. One of the major themes of the play supports this major theme; in Act 1, Scene 1, when the Weird Sisters have gathered for their first meaning. The second to last line says, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (1.1.10) This means that events or happenings that appear to be fair, just, or equal are actually the opposite of just that; and vice a versa of that, events that appear to be unfair, cruel, and unequal are actually, in reality, fair. Throughout the play, the characters don't know this fact, so you go through the story seeing characters experience things that would normally be seen as just things, but they're actually for the worse. Machiavelli quotes, "It's not essential that a prince have all good qualities, but it's most essential that he should seem to have them." In short, the appearance and what the Prince seems to believe in is more important than who your ruler actually is and what his true morals are; his appearance vs his reality.
2. Gender Roles
Everybody in our everyday lives stereotypes what the job of a man or a woman in society should be. Women are supposed to be the caring, frail, loving ones while the men are seen as the hardy, strong, brave ones in society. This are our assigned roles in society. In Macbeth, there is one instance where this isn't true. In Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth receives a letter that Macbeth is about to arrive home, and that he has become Thane of Cawdor. In his letter, he explains the prophecy that the witches have told him and that he plans on killing King Duncan to fulfill his fate. Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth is too kind of a person to murder somebody, so she asks the gods to "unsex" her, and to take all pity, fear, and cowardice out of her body, for she herself plans to kill the King. This part of the scene goes against the general stereotypes set upon women by society; Lady Macbeth, herself, is acting strong, bold and murderous. These characteristics don't usually fall into the gender role of a women.
3. Loyalty and Honor
Loyalty and honor are two traits that are highly respected in today's society, and were also highly respected in Shakespeare's time and the time in which his plays take place. In Macbeth, King Duncan states, "He was a gentleman on whom I built absolute trust." [Talking about the old Thane of Cawdor, who betrayed him in battle] (1.4.14-15). King Duncan had believed that the Thane of Cawdor was a loyal and honorable person, and trusted in him to follow his orders and respect the king. After all of this, the Thane did nothing but betray; but it isn't as simple as that. This is an instance of foreshadowing what is going to take place with the new Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth. Macbeth, who King Duncan currently trusts, believes in, and just gave two promotions to, is going to eventually betray him by murdering him in order to become king himself. This future event that is going to take place can be related to the Machiavelli quote, "The ends justify the means." Macbeth cares very little that he was just promoted, or that he is highly respected by the king; he will go by any means to get what he truly wants and what has been concluded as his destiny; to become king.
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