macbeth

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. 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.’’ The original Thane of Cowdor, ‘’a man in whom I 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 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, and rewards those who are brave and loyal, ‘’go announce his present death and with his former title greet Macbeth.’’ 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. 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.’’ The original Thane of Cowdor, ‘’a man in whom I placed upmost trust’’ rebelled against Scotland