Macbeth- abuse of power and kingship

Question 1

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”

Answer 1

• Appearance vs reality: duplicitous with his intentions. He appears valiant & noble, yet he is deceitful & malevolent
• Repetition of false: emphasises his false and unnatural taking of the crown. He is a false king, he does not have nobility, morality and a pious nature.

Question 2

“Why do you dress me / In borrowed robes?”

Answer 2

• Motif of clothing: physical and temporary, can be easily removed. Alike to his title as ‘king;, it is not permanent due to the sinful extraction of it.
• Lexis on borrowed- temporal nature of his power is emphasised
• Links to Act 5- ‘Like a giant’s robe’

Question 3

“Upon my head they placed a fuitless crown”

Answer 3

Diction “placed”- carefully crafted , not naturally given- he has meticulously manipulated his position as King and accquired it through illegitimacty.