The Line Between Being a Leader and Being a Tyrant By: Myranda Sok, Allison Nolek, Eric McLaughlin, Micaela Greco

Leadership in Macbeth Shakespeare clearly delineates tyrants from good leaders by demonstrating how the lust for power distrust of those around oneself will drive one to take extreme measures to protect one’s own power, but enjoying the power one already has leads to even greater power in the end.

Duncan Rewards loyalty and punishes disobedience Killed thane of Cawdor because he betrayed Scotland Rewards Macbeth for his valor on the battlefield. “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth” (1.3)

Malcolm Gains power in honest way Receives title of Prince of Cumberland in return for his valor on the battlefield “Our eldest, Malcolm,whom we name hereafter The prince of Cumberland”(1.4) Crowned rightful King of Scotland “Hail, King of Scotland!” (5.8)

Lady Macbeth Constantly wants more power Pushes Macbeth to fulfill the witches prophecy and kill Duncan “Make thick my blood. stop up the access and passage to remorse, that no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between the effect and it!” (1.5) Goes insane due to guilt presumably takes her own life “Out, damned spot, out, I say!” (5.1)

Macbeth He becomes afraid of losing power Begins to kill people for really no reason Has spies throughout the Scotland Killed Banquo and attempted to kill Fleance “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so, For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind.” (3.1) Murdered Macduff’s household, (servants, family) “Give to the edge of the sword his wife, his babies, and all unfortunate souls that race him in his line” (4.1)

Macbeth Began to lose the support of his people People not acting out of love, but out of fear Soldiers switch sides “We have met with foes who strike beside us” (5.8)

Conclusion Macbeth’s paranoia and fear ultimately leads to the deaths of many Scottish citizens in the play The witches create paranoia for Macbeth by telling him prophecies about his future. He fears that he will be overthrown soon by Fleance, as seen in the vision. He wants power so he wants to secure his position as king, and transforms into a tyrant.