macbeth

• Kingship


  The state or position of being King, associated with attributes such as Power, Authority and wealth, but also carries a sense of unity. A king is a figurehead meant to provide guidance and Justice to the society they rule over.
• McBeth is set in Scotland during the 11th century, so we need to understand how kingship in the Middle Ages was different to nowadays
• Divine right of kings


  In the Middle Ages, Kings were believed to have been chosen to rule by God, giving them absolute power over the people
• Great chain of being

  A social order for the world which placed the king ruling as God's representative over other humans and all of nature
• When Shakespeare was writing, the Scottish King James I had recently become king of England as well, uniting the two countries
• Duncan (the king whom McBeth later murders)


  • Kind, benevolent and just ruler
  • Rewards loyalty
  • Administers Justice
  • Responsible in naming an heir
• Duncan's weaknesses


  • Capable of poor judgment
  • Over-reliance on his Thanes
• McBeth's rule


  • Does not rule with love and generosity like Duncan
  • Becomes consumed by fear and paranoia
  • Commits violent acts of hubris
• Shakespeare ends the play by showing the true line of succession restored, with Malcolm preparing to be crowned King
• Prophecies on kingship


  The inciting incident for the treacherous and bloody actions of McBeth
• Duncan rewards McBeth and Banquo for their service


  Characterizes Duncan as a generous and benevolent King who rewards loyalty and service
• Duncan: 'I have begun to plant thee and will labor to make thee full of growing'
• Duncan's virtues


  Make him seem Godly and kind, but also possibly hint at his weakness and over-trusting nature
• McBeth's murder of Duncan disturbs the natural world, highlighting the illegitimacy of his kingship
• McBeth: 'upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a Barren scepter in my grip'
• McBeth's kingship


  Troubled by the Witch's prophecy over Banquo, and his fear and paranoia
• McBeth's cruelty and villainy know no bounds as he orders the murder of Macduff's family
• Malcolm


  • Restores peace to Scotland
  • Rewards his subjects, continuing the tradition of a true king
• Shakespeare presents Malcolm as a change maker, with the title of Earl being a first for Scotland, paying homage to King James I