Kingship

Question 1

Juxtaposition of Macbeth’s callous leadership vs Duncan’s benevolence

Answer 1

Duncan - when telling his court, “signs of nobleness like stars shall shine on all deservers” - he is willing to reward all those who do good, implying Duncan has a virtuous and noble trait and as someone who is invested in his followers.

Macbeth - “Stars! Hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires” the juxtaposition of images of starlight and the cancellation of starlight emphasises evil vs good

Question 2

Macbeth’s characterisation of Duncan as a great ruler

Answer 2

When deciding whether he should murder King Duncan or not, “his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued”. Link to the great chain of being - likening the death of Duncan to the cry of an angel - disrupting the natural order of the world

“Tears shall drown the wind” - everyone who hears of his death would cry causing a great flood. Such a hyperbolic imagery emphasises the positive qualities of a good king - the one who was put on the throne by god.

Question 3

Duncan’s generosity and virtuous nature

Answer 3

Two quotes should be combined to show this. Firstly, when getting the Thane of Cawdor title:
1. Characterisation: “and with his former title greet Macbeth. What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won”
- labelling of Macbeth as noble and worthy clearly demonstrates his keen eye for leadership. He sees good characteristics of a good man and rewards them, showing Duncan’s generosity and just
2. Hyperbole: “O worthiest cousin, the sin of my ingratitude even now was heavy on me”
- Duncan implies here that the reward of Thane of Cawdor is minor. This demonstrates that Duncan is generous - he thinks that Macbeth deserves more for what he has done for him. So, he expresses his sincerity to Macbeth that he has not done so. By being aware of this, Duncan’s character is portrayed as generous and virtuous as he intends to reward those who deserve it

Question 4

Duncan’s divine ruleship

Answer 4

Upon hearing of Duncan’s death, Macduff says “Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope the Lord’s anointed temple and stole thence the life” (METAPHOR)
- Duncan’s death being compared to the destruction of God’s temple is an allusion to the destruction of the Temples of Jerusalem - a place where God’s spirit was meant to dwell on people. The emotive langauge of sacrilegious emphasises that the murder of Duncan was an attack on God - a direct reference to the Chain of Being

Question 5

Contradiction of Duncan’s divine reign filled of grace and virtue to Macbeth’s reign marked by violence and division

Answer 5

After Macbeth’s reign:
1. Lennox: “Men must not walk too late”
2. Lord: “With Him above to ratify the work - we may again give to our tables meat” - people are living in poverty and are waiting for the true, divine king to return so that people can eat again
3. Macduff: “Each new morn, new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face” - the repetition and parallel clause structure emphasises the trauma of the nation under Macbeth’s rule. The symbolism of heaven being struck on its face illustrates this by highlighting the notion that Macbeth’s reign is an insult to God himself.
4. Multiple times Macbeth is called a tyrant
5. Malcolm: “Our country sinks beneath the yoke, it weeps, it bleeds.” - Personification of Scotland emphasises the trauma that the country has undergone due to Macbeth. By comparing the country to a person unable to defend themselves, the play creates greater empathy for the nation, consequently causing the audience to judge Macbeth since he is the cause of all suffering