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