ENGLIT MACBETH leadership/kingship quotes

Question 1

How does Malcolm look like he’ll be a better king than Duncan in IV.3?

Answer 1

• he’s learnt from Duncan’s mistakes and doesn’t blindly trust the thanes
• this caution suggests that he’ll be a better king than Duncan
• Malcolm says that he’s honest, grateful and god-fearing which are all good qualities for a king, Malcolm’s loyal contrasts to Macbeth’s tyranny and betrayal

Question 2

How does Macbeth hint that he’ll be a bad king in I.7?

Answer 2

“hath been so clear in his office that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued”

• Macbeth knows how virtuous a leader Duncan is and how killing him would be bad for Scotland
• hints that he’ll be a bad king as he priorities his own wellbeing over Scotland’s own
• religious imagery hints that killing him may go against god, which makes it seem more treacherous

Question 3

How is Duncan the opposite of Macbeth?

Answer 3

• Duncan is described as “gracious” and inspires loyalty in his subjects who seem him as a “most sainted king” which makes him the rightful ruler of Scotland
• contrasts with Macbeth who is described as a “tyrant” because he rules selfishly and using violence, rarely referred to as “king” which shows that characters don’t actually accept him as their king

Question 4

How is King Edward the opposite of Macbeth?

Answer 4

• he has a “healing benediction” and uses “holy prayers” to cure sick people, describes him as holy
• contrasts with Macbeth who is described as “devilish”, he commits murder and talks to evil witches, meaning he’s not the chosen king

Question 5

How is Duncan shown as a king in I.2?

Answer 5

“no more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive” “and with his former title greet Macbeth”

• performs the two basic duties of a king, punishing those who have gone against him and rewarding those who support him and remain loyal to him
• this is something that Macbeth fails to even do, not performing the basic duties shows how bad he is as king and how he chooses to look out for his own interests

Question 6

How does LM rely on kingship in V.1?

Answer 6

“What need we fear who knows it when none can call our power to account?”

• thinks that Macbeth becoming king won’t matter whether they’re caught or not as he can’t be held accountable
• turns out their actions lead to a revolt so she was wrong, shows how royalty and kingship didn’t suit the Macbeths
• relied on Macbeth’s kingship to keep her secure, but as their distance grew and the consequences of kingship developed, she slowly started turning mad