1. In the play Macbeth, king Duncan is viewed as a magnificent leader. He is old and wise with many faithfully followers. The one fault that Duncan expresses in the play is that he is to trusting in his comrades. In act 1, scene 4, lines 14-15, Duncan talks about the old Thane of Cawdor, whom he has killed for treason. Duncan says "He was a gentleman on whom I built and absolute trust on." Duncan then gives Macbeth the tile of Cawdor to Macbeth, whom we all know kills Duncan for the throne. Duncan gave out trust and respect too willingly to people whom appeared strong and brave. He should have been more cautious as king and thought over whom he trusted and admired.
2. Machiavelli described a leader as a bold, brave, intelligent and courageous person. Macbeth starts out with all these qualities but want and greed quickly lead him down the path to his demise. When Macbeth is given the title Thane of Cawdor his thoughts are not ones of thanks and respect, his thoughts immediately jump to wanting more or becoming king. Machiavelli says "It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles." Macbeth does not honor his title because he is not loyal to his king.
"Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others."-Machiavelli. This is exactly what Macbeth dose when he becomes king. He first secures himself as king by killing Duncan, then to further secure himself he decides to kill Banquo and Fleance. By attacking others and killing of the "competition", Macbeth begins to sink further into madness.
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