Kingship

Question 1

How is kingship presented at the start of the play

Answer 1

Something to be protected

Question 2

How does Macbeths valor in battle directly tie to preserving the ideal of kingship

Answer 2

King Duncan is a respected ruler who is fair/trusting/ recognizes loyalty. Macbeth protects the king at the start of the play ahd he restores order to Scotland

Question 3

‘He was a gentleman on whom I built absolute trust’

Answer 3

Dramatic irony as he will be betrayed by Macbeth.

Duncan’s trust weighs heavily on Macbeths conscience but ambition can erode loyalty

Question 4

‘Is this a dagger I see before me… the handle toward my hand’

Answer 4

Imagery of the dagger covered in blood is a symbol of psychological distress/ descent into madness due to internal conflict

Question 5

How is kingship presented as the play progresses (after Macbeth murders king Duncan)

Answer 5

Corrupted and unsustainable under Macbeths rule

Question 7

‘I am in blood, stepped in so far that I should wade no more’

Answer 7

Commitment to maintain power through violence as he is in so deep that it is as difficult to turn back as it is to continue

Question 8

Murder of banquo

Answer 8

‘It is concluded. Banquo, thy souls flight’
(Violence+lack of remorse)

‘Never shake thy gory locks at me’
(Vivid imagery to convey paranoia)

Question 9

How is kingship presented by the end of the play

Answer 9

Highlights restoration of rightful order/ consequences of tyranny

Question 10

‘From his mothers womb untimely ripped’

Answer 10

Macduff fufils the witches prophecies and restores order, he outlines plans to create a better future for Scotland