Abuse and Power of Kingship

• Act 1, Scene 2, Duncan: 'Go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth' 


  Shows how Duncan is fair about how he runs the country.

  He is good to those who are deserving, but also punishes the traitors.

  He displays a good sense of Kingship, while Macbeth has a corrupt sense of Kingship.
• Act 1, Scene 2: 'Like Valour's minion'


  Macbeth is presented as the ideal leader through a simile with noun 'valour' meaning bravery.

  This is ironic because Macbeth's noble traits disappear as he becomes more corrupt and abuses his power by killing Duncan in his sleep.
• Act 1, Scene 4, Duncan: 'Oh worthiest cousin! The sin of my ingratitude even now was heavy on me' 


  He apologises to Macbeth for not promoting him earlier.

  The use of exclamation mark displaying his heightened emotion.

  Good kingship shown as he is willing to reward people who are good, but this is his fatal flaw because he cannot distinguish between good and bad.

  Dramatic irony as the audience is aware of Macbeth's evil side.
• Act 2, Scene 3, Macduff: 'Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope the Lord's anointed temple'


  Macduff reports the death of Duncan using religious imagery in adjective 'sacrilegious', showing a link between Duncan and God, presenting him as truly good.

  Macbeth has gone against the Divine Right of Kings and God by killing Duncan shown by 'Lord's anointed temple'.
• Act 3, Scene 1: 'Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown'


  Macbeth's poor Kingship is solidified by his lack of heirs.

  He resents Banquo because his sons will be kings and this metaphor shows how he resents the witches for making him king without successors.