power / kingship

Question 1

what are ‘crown’ and ‘throne’ used as

why

Answer 1

metonyms for kingship
–> LM and M something easily taken off whereas Malcolm calls it a “throne” suggesting something that can be transcended to

Question 2

How does Shakespeare put us on Macbeth’s side?

Answer 2

-self awareness to generate empathy - encapsulates universal desire to feel dissociated from violence one commits

Question 3

How does Shakespeare establish a conflict in nobility ?

Answer 3

(ambition undercurrent in relationship monarchy and nobility)

• portrayed as a potential risk to the crown when ambition becomes unchecked by morality yet also a force to restore order in Malcolm
• -> Shakespeare pleading to nobility to not to start revolution or insurrection - first performed at king James court

Question 4

Act 4 scene 3 key discussion Malcolm and Macduff

Answer 4

in testing macduff Malcolm lists tyrannical characteristics e.g. avarice – implicitly warning king James not to be greedy ?
-Malcolm lists graces ‘justice verity’ that he tricks macduff into thinking macbeth does not possess

Question 5

Malcolm aware

Answer 5

-wants to heal Scotland but does not possess fathers gullibility that allowed Macbeth to power – politically shrewd in testing macduff

Question 6

How does Shakespeare hint at fragility of power incl. Banquo

Answer 6

• exposes it as a superficial and fleeting construct
• -> uses Banquo - secure lineage > transient crown
• -> Macbeth to exemplify provocative idea you cannot achieve kingship w/o deception or duplicity

Question 7

what does Shakespeare demonstrate about power in relation to character

Answer 7

• acquisition of power invokes irreversible change in character – subverts audiences expectations
• -> persons poor qualities enhanced by crown and personal desire e.g. paranoia
• -> Macbeth embodies ultimate tragic hero – symbol of tyranny despite being loyal and valiant in exposition

Question 8

what question does Shakespeare pose about supernatural in relation to power ?

Answer 8

• whether unlawful treason has a supernatural urge o-malign witches and demonic forces working against moral bonds of man
• • careful to emphasise how tyrant himself suffers at his own hands

Question 9

how does Macbeth express unsettled disposition of mind

Answer 9

exclaims as he resolves to kill Banquo ‘let the frame of things disjoint’ – attainment of kingship did not satisfy ambition as he attained ‘fruitless crown’