Divine Right of Kings Flashcards
Why does Shakespeare promote the idea of the Divine Right of Kings?
Sitting in the theatre would be several nobles who do not beleive that King James should be the King as Queen Elizabeth I died without an heir.
There will also be others that are secretly Catholics, but claim they are Protestant since Catholicism was illegal at the time. This idea of the Divine Right of Kings claims that God appointed the Monarch, which protects King James’ position as the monarch since mortals couldn’t go against the word of God
What is Duncan used as an allegory for?
Duncan is used an allegory for the type of King that Shakespeare thinks James should be if he wants people to accept him as King. Duncan is constantly referred to as the ‘‘King’’ in contrast to Macbeth the ‘‘Tyrant’’
How does Shakespeare present himself as a lover of peace?
He wants to keep the status quo, claiming to any potential rebels in the audience that ‘‘we but teach Bloody Instructions’’.
He is showing, through Macbeth, that violence only breeds violence. This links to the Gunpowder Plot 1605, if they had succeeded this would’ve only led to even more conspirators thinking they could get away with regicide.
Why is Banquo reflected in a good light?
Banquo is said to have been an ancient ancestor of King James. Shakespeare describes Banquo’s ‘‘royalty of nature’’ and his ‘‘wisdom’’ to ‘‘act in safety’’. This could be another message from Shakespeare, claiming that it would be wisdom for King James not to act out against the Catholics.
How does Shakespeare appeal to King James’ ambition?
When Macbeth goes back to the witches, Macbeth is shown a vision of Banquo’s descendants who will ‘‘stretch out to the crack of doom’’. Shakespeare is flattering King James here, claiming his royal dynasty could last forever if he acts in the correct way.
