Disorder and order in Macbeth

Question 1

What was the divine right of Kings? (context)

Answer 1

• Belief in 17C England was that the king was appointed by God and the divine representative of the earth.
• Any challenge to the King was a challenge to God’s authority and was treasonous
• Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan overturns the divine right of Kings which disrupted the natural order
• Duty of a King was to protect and look over his people on behalf of God - Macbeth perpetrates evil and spreads it

Question 2

What was the great chain of being? (context)

Answer 2

• A social hierarchy ordered by god in which all things on earth have a predetermined place in the hierarchy
• Any disruption of this chain would cause disorder and chaos

Question 3

How are the themes of chaos and disorder presented in Macbeth? (context)

Answer 3

1. The disruption of normal gender roles between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
2. Chaos and disorder caused in the natural word because of Macbeths disruption of the usual social order
3. Internal, individual disorder experienced by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Question 4

What quote shows disruption of usual gender roles to show social disorder?

Answer 4

“Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here” - LM + “Are you a man?” - LM

Question 5

What quote shows the disruption of natural world when Duncan is murdered to show the chaos resulting from the unnatural killing of the king?

Answer 5

“The earth was feverous and did shake” - Lennox + “Tis said they eat each other” - Old man

Question 6

How does Shakespeare use natural world imagery to create a sense of disorder?

Answer 6

“a falcon… was by a mousing owl killed” - Old man, hierarchy turned upside down

Question 7

How does Shakespeare use individual, internal chaos and disorder to emphasise this theme?

Answer 7

“Macbeth does murder sleep” - Macbeth, experiences hallucinations + “Most admired disorder” - LM

Question 8

Which quote shows Lady Macbeth’s internal chaos/insanity?

Answer 8

“What will these hands ne’er be clean?” - Lady Macbeth

Question 9

How does Shakespeare immediately create a sense of impending chaos early on?

Answer 9

“fair is foul and foul is fair” - The Witches, from beginning the witches create a chaotic atmosphere + “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” - Macbeth, echoes the witches words which shows he is under their power

Question 10

How does the disorder unleashed by Macbeth affect Scotland?

Answer 10

“Our suffering country under a cursed hand” - Lennox

Question 11

How does Shakespeare show order restored at the end?

Answer 11

“So thanks to all at once and to each one, Whom we invite to see us crowned at stone” - Malcom is the rightful king so order is restored, Shakespeare uses rhyming couplet to present this