Abuse Of Power & Kingship Flashcards
What characteristics of a great king does Duncan possess?
Noble, nurturing, responsible, and a strong leader
What does Duncan’s successful reign emphasise?
Emphasises now disastrous Macbeth is as a king
“Signs of nobleness like stars shall shine / On all deservers,”
- Duncan is shown to be a just and benevolent ruler, demonstrating important aspects of kingship
- he is willing to reward all those who do good. It can be interpreted that he is saying that virtue and nobility are visible traits in a person, distinguishing them from others.
- The simile “like stars shall shine” connotes divine power, implying they will be rewarded in the afterlife as well as now. It aligns “deservers” with God.
Duncan
“I have begun to plant thee and will labour / To make thee full of growing,”
- Duncan is portrayed as someone who is invested in his followers
- he is dedicated to self-improvement and the success of others.
- The semantic field of agriculture connotes new life and nourishment, presenting Duncan as nurturing and considerate.
Macbeth talking about duncan
‘his virtues / Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued’
- Duncan is such a successful monarch that even those who seek to kill him admire the way he rules. as Macbeth outlines Duncan’s honourable qualities Thereby acknowledging that Duncan is a good king.
How does Shakespeare how Duncan governs fairly to do what is best for his country.
- He rewards those who do good, telling Macbeth, “More is thy due than more than all can pay,”
- At the same time, he punishes traitors, ordering the execution of the Thane of Cawdor for his acts of treason: “Go pronounce his present death / And with his former title greet Macbeth,”
- This exchange of “title[s]” at the beginning of the play presents the audience with a country that is stable and balanced. Duncan’s court appears to be the pinnacle of justice. However, this scene also foreshadows Macbeth’s betrayal.
How does Duncan ensure political stability security for the country?
- The Jacobean audience would have known the trouble that a monarch dying without an heir would have created. Elizabeth I died without an heir which resulted in a big change to the way Britain was ruled by her successor. By providing the country with an heir, Duncan was ensuring political stability and security.
- He announces that his son Macolm will be his heir-apparent: “We will establish our estate upon / Our eldest, Malcolm,” Shakespeare thus establishes
Duncan as a trustworthy king and provides a vision of the safe future. Obviously this is ruined by Macbeth.
What prevents Duncan recomons a perfect king?
It seems that Duncan is too trusting and dependent on others to be a perfect king. Rather than leading his men into battle he trusts others to do so for him, and he relies heavily on his Thanes to help maintain order.
Duncan
“There’s no art/ To find the mind’s construction in the face. / He was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust,”
He had placed his confidence in a man who betrayed him to foreign armies, suggesting he has a poor judge of character. There is some dramatic irony in this statement, for Macbeth is plotting to murder him.
Where is it evident that Duncan doesn’t learn from his mistakes?
- Macbeth is another one of Duncan’s trusted Thanes and is called his “valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” This means the betrayal repeats itself and Duncan doesn’t learn from his mistakes.
- However, the line “There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face” implies it is impossible to see through someone’s deception. Shakespeare suggests the evil and treachery of others makes it impossible for a king to be wholly good. Kindness and respect are vulnerable to deceit. In theory, Duncan would be the perfect king, but in reality he cannot contend with the wickedness of his peers.
How is it shown that Macbeth has the ideal qualities of a noble king at the start?
The Captain calls him “brave Macbeth”, “Bellona’s bridegroom”, and “Valour’s minion”, proving how admired and impressive Macbeth is. “Brave” and “valour” both imply that he has a strength of character beyond being good in battle which would be ideal as a leader. This makes it ironic that he later commits the cowardly act of murdering Duncan in his sleep.
When do Macbeth’s noble trains seem to disappear
- As Macbeth becomes closer to the throne he becomes more corrupt. By the time he kills Duncan and takes the throne his transformation is so complete it is too late for him to go back to being the noble Macbeth we were introduced to at the start of the play.
- From this point on, the audience are able to see the direct contrast between the way Duncan and Macbeth rule Britain. Macbeth is the least successful king in the play. Even his ascension to the throne is unrighteous, as he gets there on the back of murder, lies, and betrayal.
How is it shown Macbeth isn’t the right king?
- He doesn’t care for Scotland, only for himself. Through his time on the throne, Shakespeare explores how power corrupts the minds of men, and how impactful a king’s reign is on his whole country. He studies what it would truly be like to have a tyrant on the throne and how power draws out people’s violent natures.
- Macbeth is the complete opposite of Duncan, both in the way he came to be king but also in the way he rules. Shakespeare uses this play to explore the impact of a King’s reign on his country.
Macbeth
“I could with my barefaced power sweep him from my sight, / And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,”
- Macbeth acknowledges his ability to control others using violent means
- “Barefaced” implies he could be shameless and outright in his murderous ways
- “sweep him from my sight” connotes a godlike control over reality.
Duncan provides an heir
How is macbeth’s poor kingship solidified?
- Macbeth’s poor kingship is solidified by his lack of lineage and heirs. It is evident he feels emasculated by his inability to produce an heir, this is represented through his jealousy of Banquo and resentment of the Witches.
- “They hailed him father to a line of kings” No son of mine succeeding,” - He resents Banquo because his sons will be kings, and he resents the Witches for making him king without successors.
