How does Shakespeare present the issue of kingship in Macbeth?

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In what ways are kings & notions of kingship central to Shakespeare’s Macbeth? You should consider the characters of Duncan, Banquo, & Macbeth, as well as the possible influence of James I, king of England & Scotland when the play was written in 1606

Kingship is one of the major themes of the book & throughout the play it is linked with loyalty. Shakespeare contrasts the meaning of kingship mainly through Duncan & Macbeth. Banquo is also important in the presentation of kingship because he begins his place in the story parallel to Macbeth: they are both worthy thanes, both great warriors, both loyal to the king. However as we know their characters grow further apart and become more contrastable.

As it was believed at that time, the king had divine rights, as if chosen to rule by God, as it was also believed that to assassinate the king would be considered as going against God and the natural laws. Shakespeare presents Duncan, as the role model of what a king should be: trusting, honorable, generous, honest, & believes in loyalty. In I-iv, Macbeth says to the king, “ The service & the loyalty I owe” (line 22). This is ironic because this is the first time in the play where the themes of loyalty & kingship are mentioned together & it is Macbeth who said it. We know that Macbeth kills the king & he was even thinking it when he said that & he therefore does the opposite of everything he says, undoing the basis of kingship through his lack of loyalty towards the king. Macbeth also says,

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“Your highness’ part

  Is to receive our duties, and our duties

  Are to your throne & state, children & servants” (I-iv lines 23-25)

This backs up the fact of what kingship represents, and what is expected of other people’s duties towards the king. Again Macbeth does not follow any of these duties. Duncan is very trusting of the loyalty of others towards him, as those were his expectations of others. This is clear to see when he is shocked & horrified to hear about the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor,

        “There is no art

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