Kingship

Question 1

Shakespeare hints at the fragility of power by exposing it as a superficial and fleeting construct

Question 2

Shakespeare uses Banquo to hint at how securing your lineage is more important than a transient crown

Question 3

Shakespeare uses Macbeth to exemplify the provocative idea that you cannot achieve kingship without an element of deceit or using duplicitous means, which has catastrophic consequences

Question 4

Shakespeare demonstrates how the acquisition of power invokes an irreversible change in character, subverting the audience’s expectations

Question 5

Shakespeare implies that a persons poor qualities are magnified by the crown and personal desire - Macbeth becomes paranoid, he gives into evil which magnifies all poorest qualities

Question 6

Shakespeare characterises Macbeth as the embodiment of absolute terror and tyranny despite being depicted as a valiant warrior which initially inspires trust and loyalty in the plays exposition

Question 7

Shakespeare illustrates how M’s kingship is already tainted with ambitious and defiance of natural order - sleep, marriage, paranoia are all punishments for God