Macbeth - Abuse of Power & Kingship

Question 1

context

Answer 1

• ongoing religous conflict between protestants and catholics
• divisive over king james in england
• shakespeare demonstrating what he thought were good monarchs

Question 2

‘We will establish our estate upon / Our eldest, Malcolm’

Answer 2

Act 1, Scene 4, Duncan:
* liz 1st died w/out an heir, big change to the way country was ruled
* duncan provided an heir - established stability and security
* presents duncan as trustworthy king at beginning

Question 3

‘brave Macbeth’

Answer 3

Act 1, Scene 2, describing Macbeth:
* v noble, but noble traits poof
* closer to the throne = more corrupt
* after duncan dies, direct contrast between duncan ruling & maccy
* maccy is least succesful king - corruption, unrighteous ascension to throne is cause of this
* power - corrupts men’s minds, impacts king reign. draws out violent nature

Question 4

‘they placed a fruitless crown’

Answer 4

Act 3, Scene 1, Macbeth:
* poor kingship emphasised by lack of heirs & lineage
* emasculated by inability to produce heir - jealousy of banquo & resentment of witches
* resents banquo bc his sons will be kings
* maccy wont get any sons

Question 5

‘a falcon tow’ring… was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed’

Answer 5

Act 2, Scene 4, Old Man:
* state of world atlered to mirror murder
* death of good monarch = all country in decay & disrepair
* might bird of prey hunted by inferior predator - omen of whats to come = reflects maccy killing duncy and messing up divine order