Theme= Abuse of Power + Kingship Flashcards
How does Shakespeare show power in the play?
- contrasts how characters behave towards the possibility of having power.
- contrasts the behaviour of the righteous and just king (Duncan) with the one who is violent and abuses power (Macbeth).
How is Duncan shown through kingship?
He posses the ideal and great qualities of a king:
- he is noble
- nurturing
- responsible
- strong leader
His successful reign shows emphasises disastrous Macbeth is as king.
Duncan tells his court “Signs of nobleness like stars shall shine”.
- he will reward those who do good.
- he is saying that virtue and nobility are visible traits in a person, distinguishing them from others.
- simile ‘like stars shall shine’ connotes divine power, implying they will be rewarded in the afterlife as well as now.
Duncan says “we will establish our estate upon our eldest, Malcolm”
- Shakespeare establishes Duncan as a trustworthy king because he provides a vision for a safe future by having an heir.
- Duncan was ensuring political stability and security.
How is Macbeth presented at the start of the play?
The Captain calls him ‘brave Macbeth’ and ‘Valour’s minion’ which shows how admired and impressive he is.
‘Brave’ and ‘Valour’ both imply that he has a strength of character beyond being good in battle which would be ideal as a leader.
How does Shakespeare show Macbeth’s ascension to the throne?
- the noble traits disappear as he gets closer to the throne and becomes more corrupt.
- Macbeth is the least successful king and his ascension to the throne is unrighteous as he gets there on the back of betrayal, lies and murder.
- Shakespeare explores how power corrupts the minds of men and how impactful a king’s reign is on his country.
Macbeth acknowledges his ability to control others by saying, “I could with my barefaced power, sweep him from my sight.” when pondering about what to do about Banquo.
- ‘barefaced’ implies that he could be shameless and outright in his murderous ways.
- ‘sweep him from my sight’ connotates a godlike control over reality.
Macbeth complains saying, “they hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown.”
- Macbeth feels emasculated by his inability to produce an heir.
- he is jealous of Banquo.
- he resents Banquo because his sons will be kings and he resents the witches for ‘making’ him king without having any successors.
What was the effect of Duncan’s death?
- caused apocalyptic chaos showing how distressing his murder is.
- even nature was effected by his death.
- its impacted the whole world so that everything is murderous or tainted by decay.
Duncan’s death disrupts the whole natural order because it says, “like the deed that’s done”.
This implies that the state of the world has altered to mirror the murder. The death of a good monarch takes the whole country into decay and disrepair.
How is Duncan’s corpse described?
Described with allusions to piety and royalty, reflecting how the death of a king is the death of God’s chosen representative on Earth.
Duncan’s corpse is described as a ‘temple and stole thence’.
- presenting it as a temple made of ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ Shakespeare implies that he wasn’t human. A good king can be identified from his very form and essence.
How is Macbeth’s death presented?
- celebrated by his subjects and its a moment of liberation for Scotland.
- Macbeth is referred to as a ‘hell-hound’ which dehumanises him, suggesting he is savage and brutish. Alternatively, it implies he was a slave to violence or to his master, the Devil.
How is Macduff presented?
The only one willing to kill Macbeth and he is able to speak out about how the country should be run. He is unapologetic in his criticism of Macbeth and only wants the best for his country.
How is Malcolm presented?
- he finally takes his rightful place to the throne at the end of the play and he possess the same wisdom and compassion as his father did.
- he isn’t as naive as his father.
Like Macduff, Malcolm worries for his country and says, “I think our country sinks beneath the yoke”.
- The personification of Scotland emphasises its importance to Malcolm, treating it as a loved one or a vulnerable person, reflects how a country can suffer just like a person can.
What can kingship be shown as in the play?
The destination or goal of all the action in the play.
