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.
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