Kingship in Macbeth
Discuss the theme of kingship in the play Macbeth
The theme of kingship is one which can be see constantly throughout the play. This makes sense as the play is ultimately a tribute to King James I, who was king when Macbeth was written in 1606. King James strongly believed that becoming king was a divine right and that they themselves, as kings, were God’s representatives on earth. All these aspects can be seen from beginning to end of Macbeth and we see how when this order of kings is changed by unnatural means, everyone suffers. During the course of the play we see the traits of four kings: Duncan, Macbeth, Edward and Malcolm. Through the reign of each of these kings, we are shown clearly how a country is only stable if the king is good and virtuous.
In Shakespearean times, a king had absolute power and the welfare of the state depended strongly on him. All people were similar to King James in the belief that kings were appointed by divine right, and had to possess the king becoming graces of, ‘’justice, verity, temperance, bounty, perseverance, stableness, lowliness and devotion.’’
When the play opens, we see Duncan as king. He himself admit that there ‘’is not art to finding the mind’s construction in the face.’’ This inability to judge people well, ultimately leads to his downfall. The original Thane of Cowdor, ‘’a man in whom I [Duncan] placed upmost trust’’ rebelled against Scotland when under the reign of Duncan, something which Duncan could not foresee. Similar happened with Macbeth. Duncan trusted Macbeth and saw him as a ‘’brave and valiant cousin.’’ Duncan’s trusting of Macbeth lead to his own untimely death. We can see clearly Duncan’s weakness as king; he trusts too easily. We can also see the traits of a good king in his character as his punishes those who commit treason (Thane of Cowdor), and rewards those who are brave and loyal (Banquo and Macbeth), ‘’go announce his present death and with his former title greet Macbeth.’’ It is clear
The theme of kingship is one which can be see constantly throughout the play. This makes sense as the play is ultimately a tribute to King James I, who was king when Macbeth was written in 1606. King James strongly believed that becoming king was a divine right and that they themselves, as kings, were God’s representatives on earth. All these aspects can be seen from beginning to end of Macbeth and we see how when this order of kings is changed by unnatural means, everyone suffers. During the course of the play we see the traits of four kings: Duncan, Macbeth, Edward and Malcolm. Through the reign of each of these kings, we are shown clearly how a country is only stable if the king is good and virtuous.
In Shakespearean times, a king had absolute power and the welfare of the state depended strongly on him. All people were similar to King James in the belief that kings were appointed by divine right, and had to possess the king becoming graces of, ‘’justice, verity, temperance, bounty, perseverance, stableness, lowliness and devotion.’’
When the play opens, we see Duncan as king. He himself admit that there ‘’is not art to finding the mind’s construction in the face.’’ This inability to judge people well, ultimately leads to his downfall. The original Thane of Cowdor, ‘’a man in whom I [Duncan] placed upmost trust’’ rebelled against Scotland when under the reign of Duncan, something which Duncan could not foresee. Similar happened with Macbeth. Duncan trusted Macbeth and saw him as a ‘’brave and valiant cousin.’’ Duncan’s trusting of Macbeth lead to his own untimely death. We can see clearly Duncan’s weakness as king; he trusts too easily. We can also see the traits of a good king in his character as his punishes those who commit treason (Thane of Cowdor), and rewards those who are brave and loyal (Banquo and Macbeth), ‘’go announce his present death and with his former title greet Macbeth.’’ It is clear