Kingship

Kingship

1. King was seen as God on earth and was respected in that manner

   • In the play Shakespear shows that a king is chosen by divine right and shows what character attributes makes a good king
     • A greedy king will not be loved by his country-Mac

2. King Duncan

   • We first meet Duncan behind the battle fields
     • He is always presented as the perfect, noble king
       • When Duncan hears of Macbeth's bravery in battle, he rewards him for his heosim by naming him Thane of Cawdor, while punishing the previous thane
         • He is executing his power righteously by rewarding loyalty and punishing disloyalty
         • He is too trusting and dependent of his Thanes. He is a very poor judge of character. He completely misjidges Mac and Lmac as loyal friends while they were plotting his character
           • Even Mac recognises his noble character of the King before murdering him in his sleep
             • Mac speaks of Duncan's goodness and loyal nature when he considered the consequences of his death

3. Macbeth

   • Starts as a brave, fierce and loyal warrior
     • Allows the witches prophecy to let his ambitions overpower him
       • Kills the rightful King Duncan
       • Becomes a 'tyrant', a 'hellhound' and a 'thief'
         • He is not a rightful king by blood or by fate, he is a king by committing to evil therefore he cannot protect his country and only wants more murder
           • During his reign he is paranoid that everyone is against him. Therefore he commits many murders to try and secure his throne
             • Banquo, Macduffs family and many more
     • He is meant to be a soldier not king,

4. Malcolm

   • He is the rightful heir to the throne
     • Conversation with Macduff shows his kingly qualities
       • Tests Macduff to see if he is working against him
         • Humbles himself and calls himself unworthy to be king and that Macbeth would be better than him
           • "black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow"
           • As a reader, it is obvious to see that Malcolm will be a good king as he does not force it, but patiently waits dor God to set things right and to make everything for his good
             • Malcolm's last words of the play are similar to Duncans speech when he was king, following his footsteps and in the path of restoring Scotland to its former glory