Compare And Contrast George Washington And Macbeth

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George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, was an amazing leader that many looked up to. Though Washington was a president people thought he had properties of much more, such as a king. In the Poem “Beowulf” and the play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare the properties of a good king are stated to be, “ Justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, fortitude…” (Macbeth. 4.3.91-94). George Washington showed almost all the qualities of a king during his presidency and not many or almost none at all of a bad king. George Washington was a hard-working, “Man who unites all hearts” (Ellis 121). Washington was filled with one certain word that describes …show more content…

Beowulf rightfully earns his spot as a king and shows Justice, “That he could hear no voices but his own. He deserved to suffer and die. But Beowulf was a prince well-loved, followed in friendship, not fear…” (Beowulf 913-914). Beowulf shows how Grendel deserves to be killed as justice for the many others he has killed before. Just as much as Beowulf, George Washington had only done such things as punish someone in which he felt need-be due to what they had done. Washington, just like Beowulf, had fought for his country and what he believed was right for the better gain of the people. Beowulf and Washington are very similar in action and person in the way they run their …show more content…

Everyone hails Macbeth as a good king when in reality he only works for the good of himself. Washington looked for the good in everyone and tried to help everyone while Macbeth harms many in a variety of different ways. In Macbeth there are a few words to describe a bad king, “Luxurious, avaricious, deceitful, sudden, malicious” and he is there to fill every one of those slots (Macbeth 4.3.91-94). Macbeth is a terrible king, he uses his own over-ambition to let the idea of himself ever becoming king to get to his head. George Washington let his power happen naturally and rightfully stepped down when he believed it was his time to. Macbeth kills people to get to his throne and throws the blame on anyone who he could possibly throw it to. Not to mention once Macbeth got to the throne he does nothing to help his kingdom meanwhile Washington helped fight for his