Jessica Burke
How does Shakespeare dramatise ideas about kingship?
(Act 1, scene iv, Act 2, scene iii and iv)
Shakespeare's ideas concerning kingship can be seen throughout the play. He shows that a king should be chosen by divine right and shows the attributes of what a good king should be. During the time of Shakespeare, people believed that kings were appointed by God, they are God's representatives on earth. The killing of the king was an evil act shown by Macbeth, showing the measures he would take to become king, even by destroying the natural order. He has gone against God and nature.
In the beginning of act 1, scene 4 trumpets are heard when king Duncan enters. The trumpets symbolise regal power and authority. The king and his lords and attendants enter by their status, which is a ritual demonstration of the Great Chain of Being. Shakespeare presents Duncan as a true king; trustworthy and a great leader that his subjects admire. Duncan and his relationships with his subjects show how friendly and loyal they are too him. Duncan says, 'Noble Banquo, that hast no less deserved, nor must be known no less than he has done so- let me enfold thee and hold thee to my heart.' This shows a friendly relationship between Banquo and Duncan showing that Duncan treats his subjects with an amount of respect, fulfilling his feudal responsibilities.
Duncan symbolizes restoration of order of victory in the world. In this scene, Duncan is restoring order, and rewards his loyal thanes and soldiers showing he is fully restored to his power, establishing the authority of his kingship. Duncan fulfils his duties of a true king by praising his thanes in public; he uses imagery of planting of rewarding Macbeth of land and titles and will help his career grow. 'I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing.' Duncan shows gratitude to Macbeth, Macbeth's words express his sense of honouring but they are also hypocritical for he wants to kill the king.
How does Shakespeare dramatise ideas about kingship?
(Act 1, scene iv, Act 2, scene iii and iv)
Shakespeare's ideas concerning kingship can be seen throughout the play. He shows that a king should be chosen by divine right and shows the attributes of what a good king should be. During the time of Shakespeare, people believed that kings were appointed by God, they are God's representatives on earth. The killing of the king was an evil act shown by Macbeth, showing the measures he would take to become king, even by destroying the natural order. He has gone against God and nature.
In the beginning of act 1, scene 4 trumpets are heard when king Duncan enters. The trumpets symbolise regal power and authority. The king and his lords and attendants enter by their status, which is a ritual demonstration of the Great Chain of Being. Shakespeare presents Duncan as a true king; trustworthy and a great leader that his subjects admire. Duncan and his relationships with his subjects show how friendly and loyal they are too him. Duncan says, 'Noble Banquo, that hast no less deserved, nor must be known no less than he has done so- let me enfold thee and hold thee to my heart.' This shows a friendly relationship between Banquo and Duncan showing that Duncan treats his subjects with an amount of respect, fulfilling his feudal responsibilities.
Duncan symbolizes restoration of order of victory in the world. In this scene, Duncan is restoring order, and rewards his loyal thanes and soldiers showing he is fully restored to his power, establishing the authority of his kingship. Duncan fulfils his duties of a true king by praising his thanes in public; he uses imagery of planting of rewarding Macbeth of land and titles and will help his career grow. 'I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing.' Duncan shows gratitude to Macbeth, Macbeth's words express his sense of honouring but they are also hypocritical for he wants to kill the king.
