Abuse of power and kingship

• With the unexpected ascension of James I to the throne, the question of what makes a good king was a popular topic in England
• The country was very much divided about how it should be run, with ongoing religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics
• In Macbeth, Shakespeare compares different characters and their approaches to their reigns, some successful and others not, possibly demonstrating which qualities he felt were most important in a good monarch
• Kingship and power are intrinsically linked within the play

  The possibility of ascending the throne is the driving force behind the motivations of many characters
• Shakespeare contrasts the behaviour of characters towards the possibility of power and how they act once they gain power


  He contrasts the behaviour of a righteous and just king (Duncan) with one who is violent and abuses his power (Macbeth)
• It's important to consider why Shakespeare contrasts the behaviour of characters in Macbeth
• Duncan


  • He possesses all the qualities of a great king: noble, nurturing, responsible, and a strong leader
• Duncan


  • He is shown to be a just and benevolent ruler, rewarding all those who do good
• Duncan


  • He is invested in his followers, dedicated to self-improvement and the success of others
• Macbeth: '“Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been / So clear in his great office, that his virtues / Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against / The deep damnation of his taking-off”'
• Duncan


  • He governs fairly, rewarding those who do good and punishing traitors
• The exchange of titles at the beginning of the play presents the characters
• He punishes traitors


  Orders the execution of the Thane of Cawdor for his acts of treason
• Exchange of "titles" at the beginning of the play


  Presents a stable and balanced country
• Duncan provides the country with an heir


  Ensuring political stability and security
• Shakespeare establishes Duncan as a trustworthy king and provides a vision of a safe future
• Duncan is too trusting and dependent on others to be a perfect king
• Duncan had placed his confidence in a man who betrayed him, suggesting he has a poor judge of character
• Macbeth is called Duncan's "valiant cousin, worthy gentleman"
• The betrayal repeats itself and Duncan doesn't learn from his mistakes
• It is impossible to see through someone's deception
• Shakespeare suggests the evil and treachery of others make it impossible for a king to be wholly good
• Kindness and respect are vulnerable to deceit
• In theory, Duncan would be the perfect king, but in reality, he cannot contend with the wickedness of his peers
• At the start of the play, Macbeth has the ideal qualities of a noble king
• Macbeth is admired and impressive, with strength of character beyond being good in battle
• Macbeth later commits the cowardly act of murdering Duncan in his sleep
• As Macbeth becomes closer to the throne, he becomes more corrupt
• Macbeth's transformation is so complete by the time he kills Duncan that it is too late for him to go back to being the noble Macbeth introduced at the start of the play
• Macbeth is the least successful king in the play, ruling through murder, lies, and betrayal
• Macbeth is not the rightful heir and doesn't care for Scotland, only for himself
• Direct contrast between Duncan and Macbeth's rule

  • Macbeth is the least successful king in the play
  • Macbeth's ascension to the throne is unrighteous as he gets there on the back of murder, lies, and betrayal
  • Macbeth doesn't care for Scotland, only for himself
  • Shakespeare explores how power corrupts the minds of men
  • Shakespeare explores how impactful a king's reign is on his whole country
  • Shakespeare studies what it would truly be like to have a tyrant on the throne
  • Power draws out people's violent natures
• Macbeth is the complete opposite of Duncan


  • Macbeth came to be king through murder, lies, and betrayal
  • Macbeth rules in a callous manner
  • Shakespeare explores the impact of a king's reign on his country
• The audience is not given much insight into other people's opinions of Macbeth's leadership
• Macbeth: '“Those he commands, move only in command, Nothing in love”<|>“None serve him but constrained things, Whose hearts are absent too”'
• Macbeth acknowledges his ability to control others using violent means


  He could sweep others from his sight with his power, yet he must not
• Macbeth lacks lineage and heirs
• Macbeth: '“They hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren sceptre in my gripe, thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding”'
• Reaction to Duncan's death compared to Macbeth's death


  • Reflective of how both kings ruled and how they were viewed by their country
  • Impact of each death expresses Shakespeare's views on kingship and tyranny
  • A good monarch is needed to provide stability, security, and progress
• Duncan's death brings about apocalyptic chaos