Macbeth: Kingship Flashcards
What is the divine right of kings?
The King is chosen by God to rule. The monarch is subject to no earthly authority, only God can judge him.
What is The Great Chain of Being?
The hierarchy of society: God at the top, followed by king, men, women, animals.
What major historical event could Macbeth have been influenced by?
The Gunpowder Plot (Guy Fawkes tries to kill the King, like Macbeth. Both are caught and killed).
How does the natural order relate to Lady Macbeth?
She is very far down (as a woman), so she distrupts it by trying to control her husband. This causes her down fall.
How does the natural order relate to Macbeth?
The throne is not rightly his: he doesn’t have divine right of kings. Causes chaos to nature and ultimately his downfall.
Quotes for Duncan as King: (2)
‘He was a gentleman on whom I built absolute trust’ - he is too trusting, polite and trusting.
‘Great King’ - respected by all.
Quote from Macbeth about Kingship:
‘Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?’
Quotes for Macbeth as King:
‘Tyrant’ - juxtaposition between the two, they are the antithesis of each other.
‘Usurper’, ‘dead butcher’.
