1. King Duncan was a easily persuaded man who would act on instinct and gut. He was also a good leader in Shakespeare view. (1.4.11-14) "There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face:/ He was a gentleman on whom I built/ An absolute trust." This shows that he may have built up to much security around this one man who was in the end a traitor. He was to trusting and so it came back to him in a bad way. Duncan was also seen as a great and generous leader. One example of this is, "The King's a-bed. He hath been in unusual pleasure, and this diamond he greets your wife withal by the name of most kind hostess" (2.1.11-15). This shows just how generous he was. Not only did he give Macbeth a new title, but he graced his family with a visit and gave Lady Macbeth a diamond to show his appreciation.
2. Machiavelli would in general say that Macbeth was a good leader. one of Machiavelli's quotes that Macbeth shows well is "The ends justify the means." This quote seems to not only reflect Macbeth's actions, but most of the play as well. One example is in order for Macbeth to become king he would have to kill the king. Thus proving that he fits the quote. Another quote that Macbeth uses is "It is not essential that a Prince have all good qualities, but it is most essential that he should seem to have them" Macbeth does this a lot in the play. For example when he must pretend that he is warm and welcoming to the king when he actually wants to kill him. He also does this when he said that in a fit of rage he killed the guards, He is seeming to have the quality of loyalty to the king when in fact he only did it to further his own cause.
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