What is tyranny? Compare the tyrant Macbeth with a tyrant of the 20th century.(A clear definition explaining what it is might help to enhance your...

I agree with the previous post that Macbeth may be a tyrant, but he cannot be compared with any 20th century tyrannical ruler.

'Tyrant' is from the Latin 'tyrannus', meaning an 'illegitimate ruler'. The rule of such a ruler is tyranny. Macbeth is called a 'tyrant' ever since the Banquet scene that must have exposed his murderous venture to the throne of Scotland. He reportedly unleashed a despotic and coercive rule, wholesale murders and conspiracies being the order of the day. Macbeth was an illegitimate ruler who used power in the most unethical and horrid manner to enforce legitimacy.

But, at same time, Macbeth suffered a lot deep within himself; he dwindled, hesitated, got frightened, invited his own doom, lost his head fighting Macduff. He was punished with sleeplessness, and pushed to veritable madness.

Macbeth, a Renaissance re-construction of the 11th century feudal lord, cannot be compared to the Nazi ruler of Germany, Hitler, or for that matter, the Soviet Socialist chief, Stalin. Furthermore, Macbeth is a dramatic chracter, very different and far more complex compared to any of modern day tyrants.