Kingship theme in Macbeth

Kingship theme in Macbeth

1. Macbeth wins the throne by killing the king and framing Malcolm and Donaldbain.

   • In Scotland at this time to be King you did not have to be the kings son. However it often was.

2. Duncan is the example of the perfect king. He is described as "gracious" and inspires loyalty In his subjects, who see him as the "most sainted king" and therefore the rightful ruler of Scotland.

   • In contrast Macbeth is seen as a "tyrant" because when he is ruler he is very selfish and uses violence. He is very rarely reffered to as king which shows the other characters in the play do not accept the fact that he is a king.
   • Act 3 scene 4 Malcolm describes good and bad kings.
     • GOOD KINGS
       • "King becoming graces, As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, Bounty, perserverance, mercy, lowliness, Devotion, patience, courage and fortitude."
         • Malcom could be describing Duncan in his speech- Duncan shows "temperance" because he is calm and has a peaceful manner. "lowliness" this is because Duncan is humble In his gratefulness and loyalty
     • BAD KINGS
       • "bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin that has a name.
         • Malcolm is describing Macbeth here. He is "avaricious" because he's motivated by selfish greed. His lies make him "false" and "deceitful", and he is "bloody" because he uses violence and death to keep his power.

3. A good king should be holy. At the time when the play was wrote people believed that the King was appointed by God.

   • The King of England, Edward has a "healing benediction" and uses holy prayers to cure the sick.
     • However Macbeth is "devilish"- he commits murder and talks to the evil witches. He is not the one who has been chosen to be King.