Kingship

• King Duncan


  Rewards loyalty, punishes treachery
• King Edward


  Portrays God-like qualities
• Extract from Act 2 Scene 3


  1. Results of and reactions to rightful king’s death

  2. Macduff’s reactions when he discovers the body
• Macbeth's soliloquy Act 1 Scene 7: '“He is here in double trust” and “Duncan has been so clear in his great office”'
• King Edward vs. Macbeth


  Edward is capable of great deeds and even miracles, Macbeth's country will face great suffering and tribulation
• King Duncan

  • Benevolent, fair, respected, loved by his people
  • Foil to Macbeth as king
  • Scotland thrives under his reign
• King Edward vs. Macbeth

  Edward is loved and respected by his people, Macbeth is compared to the devil
• King Edward


  • Pious, righteous, virtuous, noble
  • Can heal people through touch
  • Seeks guidance for his leadership and actions from God
• Ideal king


  • Presented at the start of the play through King Duncan, at the end through Malcolm, and in Act 4 through King Edward of England
• King Duncan

  Cannot see deception
• Shakespeare's message

  A King connected to God is capable of great deeds and miracles, unlike a usurper like Macbeth whose country will face suffering and tribulation
• Belief in divine English monarchs

  Many believed monarchs could heal the sick with a touch, King James claimed success in curing diseases
• Under Macbeth's reign

  Suffering of the people of Scotland continues, new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face
• Macbeth presented as King

  Tyrant, malevolent, violent
• Shakespeare's portrayal of dire consequences of killing the rightful King

  Impacts the usurper (Macbeth) and everyone, leading to paranoia, guilt, torment, unnatural events, disruption of natural order, and chaos
• Shakespeare's overall message about regicide and its consequences

  Importance of 'right' leadership, consequences of disrupting the natural order, and the potential for good Kingship
• Shakespeare's message about Macbeth's reign

  Suffering of the people continues, soldiers have no love for him, desert him, contrasting the beginning of the play
• • Lady Macbeth’s view of kingship centers on ruthless power. To her, being king and queen means having absolute control.
  • She embodies ambition and is willing to manipulate and sacrifice to achieve her goals.
  • Her desire for power drives her actions, but it also leads to her downfall as guilt consumes her.
• Lady Macbeth's views on kingship reveal the dark consequences of unchecked ambition and the cost of ruthless pursuit of power.