Kingship

Question 1

Kingship introduction

Answer 1

Kingship is an integral theme of the play ‘Macbeth’ as Shakespeare uses the contrasting characters of Macbeth and Duncan to portray the ideal qualities of an exemplary king. While both kings had weaknesses, Macbeth is shown to be a worse, cowardly king and while Duncan the ‘sainted king’ is praised for his ‘virtues’. Macbeth’s short reign is underpinned by tragedy and chaos. Order is only restored when Malcolm takes the throne and the natural order of kings is restored.

Question 2

Duncan - Kingship

Answer 2

• fair and virtuous, rewards his subjects as it makes him genuinely happy too “like stars shall shine” - wants to see his country prosper - he will “labour to make thee full of growing”
• Naive/too trusting “there’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face” - cannot read people’s true desires even when they are obvious - he trusted Cawdor, who betrayed him, then passed his title to Macbeth who also betrayed him.
  -Vulnerable: Macbeth alludes him to a ‘naked newborn babe’ 1.7
  1.6 ‘This castle hath a pleasant seat’ ironic as the Macbeths were just planning on killing him. Unaware

Question 3

Macbeth - Kingship

Answer 3

• King-like qualities “Bellona’s bridegroom” - nobility, virtue, bravery, masculinity - but he falls short of possessing the selflessness a king should have. He is “false”
• opposes Duncan - “devilish” (kings were chosen by god) “smacking of every sin that has a name” - evil and tyrannous “Avaricious” HOWEVEr just like Duncan he is too trusting- not in his subjects, but in the witches hehe
• Power-hungry “I could with my barefaced power sweep him from my sight” - sees himself as a God, a false idol that he worships in his own head. Egotistical, thinks he is all-powerful, taking advantage of the country (not noble)
• Irrational and fearful (loss of king-like qualities) - ‘Never shake thy gory locks at me’ imperative shows how Macbeth’s authority is being undermined. he may also be focusing on Banquo’s blood as Banquo’s bloodline is the main threat to Macbeth throughout his reign. Reinforces Macbeth’s unsuitability for king as he is irrational

Question 4

Macduff - Kingship

Answer 4

• Never king, yet directly opposes M as being the type of person the audience thought M would be in their first impressions. Has the basal qualities of a noble king, driven by his love for his country. “bleed, bleed, poor country” - Wounded scotland
• Morally right, judge of who shall be king in some ways - seeker of justice. Seeks out Mal as a result of M’s “tyranny” - feels for “th’untimely emptying of the throne” and puts up with Mal’s threats that he will be a worse king, as it is the right thing to do “Black Macbeth will seem pure as snow” UNTIL he feels Mal would only worsen the country, and then he doesn’t put up with it anymore

Question 5

Malcolm - Kingship

Answer 5

• rightful, god-given heir as D’s son. Compares himself to an “Innocent lamb” whereas M was an “angry god”
• Cares deeply for his country - “each day a new gash is added to her wounds” - wants to make sure MD is altruistic “black macbeth will seem pure as snow” - testing MD’s loyalty - cunning and initiaive shown, key for being a king
• “whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland” - rightful heir

Question 6

Death - Kingship

Answer 6

• D’s death was unnatural and wrong, causing disturbances to nature “strange screams of death” throughout the whole of Scotland. The earth was “feverous and did shake” - sickness and disease as macbeth forcefully siezes control of the throne
• Semantic field of death used after D’s death “strangles” “entomb” - not only death but forceful, murderous connotations
• M’s death is celebrated “the dead butcher and his fiend-like queen” - no sympathy is held for him, scotland can finally return back to normal/heal. Parades “th’usurper’s cursed head” to symbolise the end of M’s reign, leaving him helpless and looking a fool in his death