Kingship

Kingship

1. DUNCAN

   • "I have begun to plant thee"
     • Duncan is seen as a good king as he praises Macbeth's performance on the battlefield

2. BANQUO

   • Father to a line of Kings
     • Banquo's blood s much more poweful than Macbeth's because Banquo has heirs

3. JAMES I

   • "Will the line strech out till the crack of doom?"
     • Shakespeare flatters James I as he was belived to be a descendant from Banquo. James I had a divine right to be king; otherwise England will suffer, like Scotland did under Macbeth's leadership

4. CONTEXT

   • The king was God's representitive on Earth therefore the King is chosen by God - Divine Right of Kings
   • a true king shoud be brave, loyal, honest, honourable, noble, responsible, patient, devoted, stable and courageous

5. MACBETH

   • "Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish fish"
     • Shakespeare calls Macbeth a thief - because he has 'stolen the role of king rather than inherited the title - and a dwarf who is wearing a giant kings robes to show that Macbeth does not have the greatness to fill the large role; can't live up to Duncan.
   • "this tyrant whose sole name blisters our tongues"
     • Macbeth is rarely referred to as 'king' showing other characters do not accept him as their king. He is called 'tyrant' as he rules by fear and killing anone in his path.

6. MACDUFF

   • As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,
     • Macduff is the only character to show all of these qualities - Macbeth only portrays a few of theses qualities