kingship Flashcards
1.4 “The service and the loyalty I owe”
-BQ emphasises that a true king serves the people + upholds justice
-contrasts with MB’s self-serving ambition
-shakespeare presents an ideal model of kingship based on duty + loyalty
-highlights difference between just ruler + one driven by ambition
2.4 “And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp”
-R comments on unnatural darkness after D’s murder
-symbolises disruption of natural order caused by MB’s regicide
-“dark night” strangling “traveling lamp” creates chaotic environment reflecting MB’s illegitimate rule + disturbance of scotland’s rightful kingship
-“strangles” conveys image of suffocation suggesting natural order is being forcibly suppressed
3.1 “Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature”
-MB’s insecurity as king leads him to fear threats like BQ revealing his tyrannical mindset
-becoming king isn’t enough - he must eliminate threats to his rule
-contrast between MB’s rule + D’s just leadership
3.4 “I am in blood Stepp’d in so far”
-metaphor of being “in blood” shows MB acknowledges he is too deeply involved in his crimes to turn back
-his corrupt rule + inability to retreat from violence illustrate the moral decay of his kingship
-underscores MB’s loss of morality
4.3 “But at his touch, such sanctity hath heaven given his hand”
-ML speaks about divine right of kings suggesting that true kingship has a healing, divine power
-contrast between ML’s rightful, divinely favoured kingship + MB’s corrupt reign emphasises moral order of leadership
-shakespeare presents ML as rightful heir emphasises kingship isn’t based on ambition but righteousness
5.1 “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”
-LMB’s guilt over D’s murder manifests in her sleepwalking, showing psychological toll of MB’s usurpation of the throne
-inability to wash away the “damned spot” symbolises stain on MB’s kingship emphasises his rule is built on immoral actions + will never be legitimate
