For example, in the poem “Ozymandias”, the king/ruler probably became too concerned with his power and he forgot about the prior goals he set. This most likely led to the destruction of his “works”. Macbeth somewhat demonstrates the same qualities as the ruler in the poem. Macbeth becomes too overly concerned with power and he forgets why exactly he is taking these actions. An example of this is his lack of any legitimate reasons for killing King Duncan and obtaining the throne except for his own ambition and greed to become king.
Duncan is primarily a force of goodness in the play even considering his certain flaws. Duncan’s murder was an act of unnatural events, against moral order and even Macbeth sees the wrong in this vicious act. Duncan was seen as the perfect king and was called “Gracious Duncan” by the tyrant Macbeth. Duncan’s holiness is reinforced by Macbeth being shown as an unholy king which is a compete contrast to Duncan. The king should be patient, have justice, mercy and lowliness.
Where there is a positive figure there will always be a negative mocking the good. During the act, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses contrasting images of lightness and darkness to express the differences of powers used amongst two different characters. The character Macbeth is a very important aspect of the play because his is referred to as the tyrant: a dark, evil and violent dictator that does nothing, but tries and destroys other around him. Duncan on the behalf is a loyal king to the people of Scotland. Duncan tries to praise the people around him and honor them for the good that they instill.
As much of a good guy as he seems to be, he also seems that he is foolish in the sense that he puts too much trust into people. In Scene Two, lines 63-65, he confesses that he was betrayed by the Thane of Cawdor and demands him executed. This shows that it is easy to take advantage of Duncan if he trusts you. For this reason, Duncan is a very nice person yet foolish at the same time. Despite Duncan’s major flaw of over-trusting certain individuals, he was definitely a good king.
The king is too trustworthy. He trusts Macbeth and Banquo and wants to reward them but he does not know that they could be traitors too just like the previous Thane of Cawdor who he trusted too much
Shakespeare portrays Brutus as a noble and honourable man, who is much loved by the people and senate. Brutus does not join the conspirators for personal reasons but rather for the benefit of Rome as he says “I know …question” (act,2,sc1.11:13) proves he fears for Caesar might become when in complete power. Which is further emphasised by “That lowliness is young ambitious ladder” (act,2,sc1.322) so Brutus is afraid for his countrymen. Brutus’ nobility and honour are further stamped by Ligarius who refers to Brutus as “Brave son, deriv’d from honourable loins” (act,2,sc,1.322) which shows what high position and regards people hold of the noble Brutus. Before Act3 Scene 2 Mark Anthony seems like a bit of a coward and Caesar’s puppet, he lacks confidence as he seems to always agree with Caesar and gives the impression that he doesn’t take life seriously, loves partying and envoy’s the company of women.
Macbeth quotes, “will it not be received/ When we have mark’d with blood those sleepy two/ Of his own chamber and used their very daggers/ That they have done’t? (1.7.75-79), stating that blood is beginning to literally represent guilt, rather then symbolically. By killing Duncan with the guard’s weapons and then smearing blood all over them, Macbeth is framing them, making them guilty by using Duncan’s blood. This quote also depicts Macbeth’s transition from a morally correct ruler to a corrupt and vicious murderer. Before hearing the witch’s prophecy, he was a virtuous and ethical person, but after hearing that he is destined for kingship, he goes on a murderous rampage to gain political power, completely disregarding his previous decency.
If Brutus wasn’t honorable, he wouldn’t have fallen into Cassius hands and join his side. Because Brutus is a man honor with no hidden motives, he trusts Cassius and cannot see behind his lies. Cassius writes phony letters to Brutus that make him believe the Roman people are begging for his help and since Brutus is an honorable person he agrees to help. Not only does this show he is an honorable man but he is gullible too. When he says, "…not that I loved Caesar less but I loved Rome more."
The third, unfavorable trait of Macbeths came in the form of ignorance. As other characters pressure Macbeth into making quick decisions, he does not realize how ignorant and oblivious he is being. The consequences of his actions are hardly ever even considered, for example, after he saw the dagger, “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” and ignorance took the best of him as he went to kill the king. After the witches spoke the four apparitions, Macbeth, being ignorant, believed that nothing
Even before the point of Duncan’s downfall, we see that Duncan is a good man but an incompetent king. Duncan is a kind man because he openly and graciously greets his nobles with praise. However, he is a poor leader because he did not fight along with his soldiers. Some might say that this is justified because Duncan is an old man, others may see this as a reason why Duncan should not serve a period of time as King. He is too trusting in his nobles which costs Duncan his life and country.