Divine right of Kings

• James belived he was chosen by God

  Had a supernatural duty to complete witch hunts
• Witch hunt

  Describe situations in which the larger public harasses those with unpopular opinions, particularly in the context of politics
• King is the closest to being to God on earth

  Role of king to enact the will of God

  James believed was to rid the earth of witchcraft
• It was believed only women could be witches because they were the weaker sex

  Could be easily entrapped by the snares of the devil
• In macbeth

  King James beliefs influenced Shakespeares literary decisions

  Witches serve as warning against witchcraft, evil and bloodshed

  High treason against God

  Argued lady macbeth is 4th witch in play

  Due to her power and ambition

  Women in power were accused of witchcraft