kingship

• when macbeth was written James the 1 had become king of england for about three years .james wrote a number of essays about his ideas of kingship. James 1 thought he was the absolute monarch . He believed that this was right because god had placed him on the throne however he also believed that this meant he had a responsibility to rule his people fairly.
• Shakespeare suggested that james 1 style of kingship balancing authority with fairness is the best way to rule
• " the castle of Macduff i will surprise his wife his babes and all unfortunate souls" - macbeth is a tyrant and kills innocent people like macduffs family
• " temperance, stableness bounty perseverance mercy lowliness devolution patience courage" malcom tells macduff all the qualities a king should have which is the opposite to Macbeths qualities