LRJ #6

Shakespeare asks us to consider several questions through out Macbeth. What is the difference between kingship and tyranny? How far can a traitor fall? Through out the play there are two kings, Duncan and Macbeth. They both end in assasination but there is a very large difference in between the lines. Also in the play Shakespeare uses the character Macbeth to portray a traitor. Through out the play Macbeth’s status steadily decreases. Shakespeare asks how low can one sink.
Shakespeare provides the answer to the difference between kingship and tyranny through out the whole play. Duncan is referred to as a king while Macbeth is commonly called a tyrant. "In my most ill-composed affection such A stanchless avarice that, were I king, I should cut off the nobles for their lands, Desire his jewels and this other's house: And my more-having would be as a sauce To make me hunger more; that I should forge Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, Destroying them for wealth." (Shakespeare 4.3 78 – 84) The difference between the two types of rulers seems to be expressed perfectly in a conversation that occurs when Macduff meets Malcolm in England. As a test, Malcolm is pretending he would make and even worse king than Macbeth listing qualities such as jealousy, questing for personal gain and violent tendencies, all which seem to perfectly characterize Macbeth. “But I have none. The king-becoming graces, As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,” (Shakespeare 4.3 92 – 95) Malcolm goes on to list all the qualities a leader should have and that he is pretending he does not. One can see that these are all the qualities that Macbeth doesn’t possess. These attributes are the difference between a king and a tyrant.
Shakespeare answers the question how far can a traitor fall in act five. She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” (Shakespeare 5.5 17 – 28) This soliloquy sums up the answer very well. Macbeth has lost all belief in the world. His wife has ended her own life after losing her mind and those who he use to call friends are marching against him, most of whom he betrayed in some way shape or form. Macbeth speaks with such great pessimism in this speech that one can tell he is losing his own will to live. He has already lost faith in all the significance of his actions, everyone’s actions for that matter. That is how low one can sink for being a traitor