Mr Salles Teaches English

macbeth kingship thesis

Kingship in Macbeth

(a grade 8 essay, improved to grade 9).

macbeth kingship thesis

Hi again Mr Salles - I hope you are well,

Here is an essay I have written on the theme of kingship, tyranny and natural order.

If you have a spare few minutes, please let me know what mark this would get and how I can improve it to get full marks :)

Shakespeare cleverly crafts the themes of kingship/tyranny/natural order through the devolution of Macbeth. By contrasting morality and corruption within Macbeth and Banquo, Shakespeare cautions against ambition and associates it with the supernatural - a very disturbing idea for the contemporary audience, contributing to Shakespeare’s overall purpose of trying to flatter King James I and warn the nobility against rebellion.

Shakespeare constructs Banquo as a foil to Macbeth by illustrating their contrasting reactions to the same evil force - the supernatural and temptation. Banquo represents the route that Macbeth chose not to take: the path where ambition does not lead to betrayal and murder. Thus, it is Banquo’s ghost, rather than Duncan’s, that haunts Macbeth and conveys to the contemporary audience that restraint will lead to a fruition of power as Banquo’s lineage stays on the throne for the longest.

The witches’ equivocation: “ Lesser than Macbeth, and greater ” paradoxically suggests the drastic difference between Banquo and Macbeth, foreshadowing character development as the witches' prophecies come true. Banquo will never be king, but he does father a line of kings. Macbeth, on the other hand, will become the King of Scotland which is commendable in terms of the Divine Order; Macbeth’s reign of power will be one of selfishness and greed as he fulfils his cruel desire for power, eliminating all obstacles that stand in the way of his kingship.

As a result, Macbeth holds the shorter end of the stick in this paradox, facing paranoia, insomnia, guilt, and a tragic demise, therefore proving its accuracy. Here, Shakespeare is flattering King James I, as he was descendant of Banquo and Fleance, in order to gain his trust and potentially patronage for his theatre. This also helps Shakespeare later in the play when he subtly warns James I not to be repressive and tyrannical in his rule.

Shakespeare ensures Banquo isn’t perfect as he is tempted on some level by the Witches’ prophecy, but his ability to reject evil is what makes him a moral character and an antithesis to Macbeth. He is less able to resist temptation when he sleeps “ I dream’d of the three weird sisters last night ”, but instead of trying to hide this, he confesses to God and asks for help in remaining moral and virtuous.

This references the Bible as Jesus was tempted three times by the devil and resisted: perhaps Shakespeare is attempting to draw parallels between Banquo and Jesus which would have been largely impactful to a Christian contemporary audience, further warning about the devastating consequences of temptation and tyranny by contrasting this with the holy and biblical ideas associated with resistance to temptation and ambition.

Shakespeare demonstrates how the acquisition of power invokes an irreversible change in character, subverting the audience’s expectations as he implies that a person’s poor qualities are amplified by the crown and personal desire - Macbeth becomes paranoid.

In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is conveyed as the epitome of a loyal and quintessential Scottish soldier when the captain recalls Macbeth’s noble actions as he “ carv’d the passage ” of the traitor Macdonwald. Specifically, the emotive verb “ carv’d ” carries strong connotations of combative expertise and nobility. Alternatively, it could allude to him carving his name famously in the beginning of the play and eventually notoriously at the end of the play, foreshadowing his drastic moral decline. The stark contrast between Macbeth murdering an enemy of the king (which would be seen as an enemy to God due to the Divine Right of Kings believed by the contemporary audience) and when he commits regicide - the ultimate sin.

Shakespeare explores the consequences of usurpation - for the nation it is a nightmare; an illegitimate king can only become a tyrant, using ever greater acts of violence to maintain his rule. However, Shakespeare is careful to emphasise how the tyrant himself suffers at his own hands - violence traumatises the violent person as well as the victims. Macbeth ‘ fixed [Macdonwald’s] head upon our battlements ’. The head is symbolic as a motif of Macbeth’s declining heroism. First he is at his moral peak as he beheads the King’s enemy, effectively God’s enemy in the eyes of the contemporary audience, then after having his moral endurance tested in the form of ‘ supernatural soliciting ’ he goes out to commit regicide, losing all virtue. Finally, Shakespeare uses this motif to highlight the negative consequences to his audience as the ‘head’ foreshadows Macbeth’s later disgrace as his own head becomes described as ‘ the usurper’s cursed head’ that is reminiscent of his previous morality before he was corrupted by ambition and the witches’ prophecies.

Supernatural

Shakespeare forces his audience to question whether the unlawful act of treason has a supernatural urge, whether there are malign witches and demonic forces working against the moral bonds of mankind. Macbeth’s growing inclination towards ‘supernatural soliciting’ leaves him in a perplexed self-questioning state " why hath it given me earnestness of success/commencing in a truth ?” Linguistically, the sibilance of ‘ supernatural soliciting’ is deliberately used by Shakespeare to raise his audience’s alarm, given the satanic connotations and reference to devastating sorcery in the form of ‘soliciting’.

Likewise, Macbeth’s rhetorical question is used by Shakespeare to create a self-doubting, unstable and malevolent fallacy created by the engagement with the ‘agents of the dark’.

This repeated motif of the supernatural was especially significant to a contemporary Christian audience as witches were believed to be women who made a pact with the Devil, but it also would have especially attracted the interests of King James I - Macbeth was first performed to him and his courtiers. James I hated witchcraft and wrote Daemonologie - a book about the supernatural. Here, Shakespeare is flattering the king by incorporating his interests into his play and is also warning the nobility who were unhappy with James as king at the time by suggesting their desire to overthrow James I was manipulated into existence by the supernatural and witches.

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This is a very ambitious title – normally you would have just kingship or tyranny set as the question. And then you are going to make it even more ambitious by introducing the supernatural!

This has led to a very convoluted thesis – having at least 3 ideas is excellent, but it has to make sense. You could simplify this:

Shakespeare contrasts the characters of Macbeth and Banquo to caution against ambition. Unchecked ambition is associated with the supernatural, which allows Shakespeare characterise ambition as inherently evil. Macbeth becomes a tyrannical king because he welcomes “supernatural soliciting.” The focus on the supernatural also contributes to Shakespeare’s overall purpose of trying to flatter King James I and warn the nobility against rebellion.

Notice how I have structured this differently in order to make one point at a time.

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macbeth kingship thesis

Miss Huttlestone's GCSE English

Because a whole class of wonderful minds are better than just one!

The theme of kingship in ‘Macbeth’

Firstly visit the following helpful link to refresh your memory of key contextual factors around kingship in Shakespeare’s time:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/english/macbeth/background/revision/1/

Kingship may well rear its head in the Macbeth question on Tuesday. If this occurs don’t panic, simply read over these helpful notes before your exam:

It could be good to start your essay with  an introduction including some context as a basis for your essay (and the basis of the whole play) based on the political climate of the time.

This is just a guide as to what you COULD say in your essay – please use these ideas to further your own. Point One: the ideal king: •Act One ‘valiant cousin’ =  premodifying adjective used by Duncan in act 1 scene two to elevate his soldiers, he treats both Macbeth ans Banquo as equals, he does not discriminate between those deserving of his praise.  ‘worthy’ = praises his men/ gratitude – rewards Macbeth’s bravery; he is a benevolent and fair king, the epitome of key virtues associated with a well liked monarch. Duncan also admits his own misplaced judgement in the Thane of Cawdor – he is human. Macbeth is emotionally conflicted in a long soliloquy in act 1 scene 7 as he deliberates whether to complete the act of regicide: ‘We will proceed no further in this business./He hath honored me of late’…’Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued’. Here he believes his death is against god’s will, against the divide right of kings and the chain of being. If ‘angels’ will ‘plead’ (a verb of desperation for someone deeply invested in that which they seek to save) then Duncan must be highly valuable as a monarch.

In act 1 scene 6 Duncan is a greatful guest and compliments Lady Macbeth’s abilities to host:’our honored hostess!’ And later ‘Give me your hand. Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly’. His language is highly emotive and complimentary. He treats all of his subjects irrespective of gender with care and tenderness. Act Five – another form of favourable kingship at the close of the play as order is restored: Malcom portrays many similar qualities to his father – rewarding and praising friends for loyalty and bravery – he unites the country (see final speech) could also refer to Malcom’s testing of Macduff’s loyalty – interesting for discussion of what being a good king is.

Shakespeare’s intentions in displaying correct kingship? To create a contrast that accentuates the wickedness of The Macbeth’s acts, as well as the horror of a tyrannical king. Praise to King James – draws attention to the more flattering qualities of kingship, while behaviour of Macbeth and subsequent consequences are a warning…

When Macbeth is crowned in act 2 a change in his language reflects his new position as a king- hints of what kind of king he will be: • Use of the royal “we” – superiority. • Strong verse rhythm – confidence and power. • Banquo’s change in language – “your highness”, “my good lord.” • Imperatives and interrogation. • Dramatic irony and deceitful nature – ‘our bloody cousins’ (purposefully lays blame on Duncan’s innocent sons for his own self preservation) • Macbeth’s public confidence is immediately contrasted with his self-doubt and insecurity left alone on stage as he knows the fullness of the crime he has committed. Macbeth’s transformation in to a tyrant and subsequent demise demonstrates the repercussions of a corrupt ruler/ a usurper.

Hiring murders to kill his friend – transformed from great warrior to weak.

Corruption of his mind – “full of scorpions”/haunted by guilt and fear. Scotland is suffering under his rule, “a country afraid to know itself”- loss of identity violent sorrow is common place. A corrupt king makes a country ill. His soldiers have no love for him, “those he commands, move only in revolt.’ Act 5, scene 2. Many desert him near the end of the battle – direct contrast to the battle at the beginning of the play.

In summary:

Macbeth unlawfully seizes the throne by murdering Duncan. He demonstrates the traits that go against the divine right and God, as he takes counsel from the three witches. In this way, kingship in “Macbeth” is shown as something that is divinely appointed by contrasting the way Macbeth takes over the throne and the other kingly figures in the play such as Duncan and Macduff.

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Secondary English teacher in Herts. View all posts by gcseenglishwithmisshuttlestone

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Kingship In Macbeth Essay

Kingship is a prevalent theme in Macbeth, one of William Shakespeares most well-known plays. Macbeth, the titular character, is thrust into the role of king after Duncan, his predecessor, is murdered. Macbeth is quickly overwhelmed by the responsibility of being king and this inexperience leads to him making a number of poor decisions.

For example, Macbeth murders people who he believes are a threat to his throne, without considering the consequences that his actions might have. Additionally, Macbeths obsession with holding on to power causes him to neglect his duties as king, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Overall, Macbeth highlights the importance of having a competent king who is capable of making wise decisions for the benefit of his people.

One of Macbeths main motivations for wanting to become king is his desire for power. Macbeth believes that being king will give him absolute control over everything and everyone. However, Macbeth quickly learns that being king is not as easy as he thought it would be.

He is constantly at war with other countries, dealing with internal conflict among his own people, and struggling to keep control of his subjects. Additionally, Macbeth has to make a number of difficult decisions that can impact the lives of thousands of people. This ultimately proves to be too much for Macbeth and causes him to lose grip on reality.

While Macbeth is not a perfect king, he does make some attempts to improve the lives of his people. For example, Macbeth tries to provide for his subjects by creating jobs and increasing food production. He also tries to keep the peace in Scotland by making sure that there is order and justice. However, Macbeths main focus is always on retaining power and this often comes at the expense of his people.

When news of the Norwegians’ victory comes through, Scotland is at war with them. Macbeth and Banquo are acknowledged as the army’s two leaders, and when they return home, they discover some old hags. They foretell Macbeth’s future to him after he and his partner Banquo meet some ancient crones on their journey home. Under Macbeth’s command, Scotland becomes a nation of conflict due to his evil leadership.

Macbeth murders Macduff’s family, and Macduff kills Macbeth in turn. Kingship is a very important theme in Macbeth because Macbeth’s position as King directly affects the outcome of the play. Macbeth murders people to keep his throne, and his reign is full of terror and violence. Macduff represents the hope for a better future under a different king, and Macbeth kills him and his family in order to maintain power. Ultimately, Macbeth’s reign falls apart and he is killed because of his thirst for power.

While Macbeth’s kingship is full of terror, Duncan’s kingship is based on respect and order. Macbeth feels that he needs to murder Duncan in order to maintain power, but this ultimately leads to his downfall. Duncan represents a good king who is respected by his people, and Macbeth’s lack of respect for him leads to his own demise.

Macbeth murders his closest friend and another family, causing Tyranny and paranoia to take hold in him. Scotland is greatly harmed during his reign, which drives Lady Macbeth insane, and she eventually takes her own life. Macduff goes to England to seek assistance from King Edward the Noble, who is well-known for his assistance in ousting Macbeth’s regime, resulting in the Anglo-Scottish revolt, which ends with Macbeth’s death and Malcolm I of Scotland becomes king.

Macbeth, the play by William Shakespeare, is largely about the idea of kingship and how it functions. Macbeth murders his best friend Banquo as well as King Duncan and Macduff’s family, all in order to gain the throne. As king, Macbeth is paranoid and sees many ghosts, which leads to Scotland being in a state of turmoil. Lady Macbeth goes mad and eventually commits suicide.

Macduff gathers forces from England and together they overthrow Macbeth’s reign. Malcolm, son of Duncan, is proclaimed king of Scotland. In Macbeth, Shakespeare explores the different aspects of what it means to be a king or queen and how these people can be corrupted by power.

Macbeths journey from hero to tyrant is one which Shakespeare cleverly uses Macbeths character flaws against him, and it is only Macbeth himself that can be blamed for his downfall.

The ambitious Macbeth allows his greed for power to take over him, despite many people close to him warning him about his actions. Lady Macbeth tries to persuade Macbeth not to think about the consequences of his actions, but he remains paranoid and suspicious. These suspicions lead Macbeth to kill more innocent people, furthering his downward spiral. Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a tragic hero, whose fatal flaw is ambition. This tragic flaw leads to Macbeth’s downfall, as he becomes more and more corrupted by power.

Macbeth’s downfall is also due to the influence of the witches. Macbeth is greatly influenced by their prophecies, and this leads him to take actions which he would not have otherwise taken. The witches plant the seeds of ambition in Macbeth’s mind, and this ambition eventually takes over Macbeth completely. Shakespeare uses the witches to show how easily a person can be led astray by ambition.

Kingship was extremely important in Shakespeare’s time, as the country was constantly under threat from other European countries. This made it essential for a strong leader to be in place, in order to protect the country from invasion.

Shakespeare used Macbeth to explore what can happen when a weak leader comes to power, and how this can lead to disaster. Macbeth is not a good king, as he is tyrannical and paranoid. He does not care about his people, and instead focuses on amassing more and more power for himself. This ultimately leads to Macbeth’s downfall.

Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is a play about the quest for power. Macbeth is driven by his ambition to be king, and he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goal. This ultimately leads to his downfall. Macbeth’s journey from loyal subject to tyrannical ruler is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.

Macbeth is not the only one in the play who is after the throne. There are other characters who also have their eye on the prize. But Macbeth is the one who seems to be most consumed by his desire for power. He allows his ambition to control him, and this ultimately leads to his demise.

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  • Lady Macbeth Essay
  • Macbeth As A Tragedy Essay
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macbeth kingship thesis

Macbeth – A* / L9 Full Mark Example Essay

This is an A* / L9 full mark example essay on Macbeth completed by a 15-year-old student in timed conditions (50 mins writing, 10 mins planning).

It contained a few minor spelling and grammatical errors – but the quality of analysis overall was very high so this didn’t affect the grade. It is extremely good on form and structure, and perhaps could do with more language analysis of poetic and grammatical devices; as the quality of thought and interpretation is so high this again did not impede the overall mark. 

Thanks for reading! If you find this resource useful, you can take a look at our full online Macbeth course here . Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!

This course includes: 

  • A full set of video lessons on each key element of the text: summary, themes, setting, characters, context, attitudes, analysis of key quotes, essay questions, essay examples
  • Downloadable documents for each video lesson 
  • A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback
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For more help with Macbeth and Tragedy, read our article here .

MACBETH EXAMPLE ESSAY:

Macbeth’s ambition for status and power grows throughout the play. Shakespeare uses Macbeth as an embodiment of greed and asks the audience to question their own actions through the use of his wrongful deeds.

In the extract, Macbeth is demonstrated to possess some ambition but with overriding morals, when writing to his wife about the prophecies, Lady Macbeth uses metaphors to describe his kind hearted nature: “yet I do fear thy nature, / It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness”. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a more gentle natured being who is loyal to his king and country. However, the very act of writing the letter demonstrates his inklings of desire, and ambition to take the throne. Perhaps, Shakespeare is aiming to ask the audience about their own thoughts, and whether they would be willing to commit heinous deeds for power and control. 

Furthermore, the extract presents Macbeth’s indecisive tone when thinking of the murder – he doesn’t want to kill Duncan but knows it’s the only way to the throne. Lady Macbeth says she might need to interfere in order to persuade him; his ambition isn’t strong enough yet: “That I may pour my spirits in  thine ear / And chastise with the valour of my tongue”. Here, Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as a manipulative character, conveying she will seduce him in order to “sway “ his mind into killing Duncan. The very need for her persuasion insinuates Macbeth is still weighing up the consequences in his head, his ambition equal with his morality. It would be shocking for the audience to see a female character act in this authoritative way. Lady Macbeth not only holds control of her husband in a patriarchal society but the stage too, speaking in iambic pentameter to portray her status: “To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great”. It is interesting that Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth in this way; she has more ambition for power than her husband at this part of play. 

As the play progresses, in Act 3, Macbeth’s ambition has grown and now kills with ease. He sends three murders to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, as the witches predicted that he may have heirs to the throne which could end his reign. Macbeth is suspicious in this act, hiding his true intentions from his dearest companion and his wife: “I wish your horses swift and sure on foot” and “and make our faces vizards to our hearts”. There, we see, as an audience, Macbeth’s longing to remain King much stronger than his initial attitudes towards the throne He was toying with the idea of killing for the throne and now he is killing those that could interfere with his rule without a second thought. It is interesting that Shakespeare presents him this way, as though he is ignoring his morals or that they have been “numbed” by his ambition. Similarly to his wife in the first act, Macbeth also speaks in pentameter to illustrate his increase in power and dominance. 

In Act 4, his ambition and dependence on power has grown even more. When speaking with the witches about the three apparitions, he uses imperatives to portray his newly adopted controlling nature: “I conjure you” and “answer me”. Here, the use of his aggressive demanding demonstrates his reliance on the throne and his need for security. By the Witches showing him the apparitions and predicting his future, he gains a sense of superiority, believing he is safe and protected from everything. Shakespeare also lengthens Macbeth’s speech in front of the Witches in comparison to Act 1 to show his power and ambition has given him confidence, confidence to speak up to the “filthy nags” and expresses his desires. Although it would be easy to infer Macbeth’s greed and ambition has grown from his power-hungry nature, a more compassionate reading of Macbeth demonstrates the pressure he feels as a Jacobean man and soldier. Perhaps he feels he has to constantly strive for more to impress those around him or instead he may want to be king to feel more worthy and possibly less insecure. 

It would be unusual to see a Jacobean citizen approaching an “embodiment” of the supernatural as forming alliance with them was forbidden and frowned upon. Perhaps Shakespeare uses Macbeth to defy these stereotypical views to show that there is a supernatural, a more dark side in us all and it is up to our own decisions whereas we act on these impulses to do what is morally incorrect. 

If you’re studying Macbeth, you can click here to buy our full online course. Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!

You will gain access to  over 8 hours  of  engaging video content , plus  downloadable PDF guides  for  Macbeth  that cover the following topics:

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You’ll find plenty of  top level example essays  that will help you to  write your own perfect ones!

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, first published in 1598, he describes his philosophy concerning monarchy, suggesting that kings are higher beings who owe their kingship to the will of God. The nature of kingship in William Shakespeare’s 1606 play reflects James’s theories through the unnatural events that occur following Macbeth’s unlawful rise to the throne. These events are a physical manifestation of the corruption that the couple enacts, a retribution for their murder of the divinely-appointed King Duncan and their subsequent usurpation of the throne.

According to the theory of divine right, God bestows on kings the right to rule. As James I writes, kings “sit upon God his throne in the earth and have the count of their administration to give unto him” (par. 4). An uprising against the king, which James describes as “monstrous and unnatural,” is by extension an uprising against the will of God (par. 30). When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth murder Duncan, then, the England of James I would recognize this act as a rebellion against God and therefore as a perversion of the natural order. Their perversion of nature is reflected throughout the play; in Lady Macbeth’s ambiguous and anomalous gender, in the changes wrought in the landscape, in the sickness that begins to grip the couple’s minds, until finally the symbolic uprising of the land itself against their tyrannical rule restores the natural order that they have upset.
Lady Macbeth is the first to overthrow the natural order. When she begins to plot against King Duncan in hopes that Macbeth may succeed him, she makes a plea to unseen spirits. She asks them: “unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty…That no compunctious visitings of nature / Shake my fell purpose” (1.5.39-44). She calls upon these spirits to take away all her feminine qualities, and therefore her conscience, so that she will be able to commit murder. She wishes to avoid the “visitings of nature” that would keep her from carrying out the deed; she is subverting the natural order by denying her femaleness. Her subsequent gender ambiguity is key to the act of murder. She takes an active, masculine role while Macbeth becomes passive; no longer the valiant soldier but the doubting accomplice, subject to Lady Macbeth’s demands that he go through with the dark plot.

Gender ambiguity arises again as Macbeth admits his doubts over murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth scorns him, telling him that “when you durst do it, then you were a man,” suggesting that he is not, at that moment, a man, but something lesser because he lacks courage (1.7.49). She is confident where he is apprehensive; when he asks what will happen if they fail in their assassination, she tells him: “But screw your courage to the sticking-place / And we’ll not fail” (1.7.60-61). Her lack of emotion again points to her subversion of nature; she shows no pangs of conscience or remorse as she plots a murder, as no woman might be expected to do. She is not kind or caring or maternal; on the contrary, she tells Macbeth that she would have “dashed the brains out” of an infant if she had sworn to do so, as Macbeth has sworn to carry out Duncan’s murder (1.7.58). Even afterwards she remains calm, while Macbeth is shocked by what he has done. He agonizes over the blood on his hands, but she responds,  “a little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it then!” (2.2.65-66). She shows no remorse, no kindness; and her cold reaction to the murder—simply brushing the deed aside once it is done—again suggests her twisted and “unsexed” state.

Once Macbeth assumes the throne in Duncan’s place, he upsets the political and social order by taking a position that is not his by right. Macbeth is unable to be a good monarch because of his defiance of nature, and he commits further atrocities to keep himself on the throne: the murders of Banquo, Lady Macduff, and her son. James I writes in The True Law of Free Monarchies that the relationship of the king to his subjects may be compared “to a head of a body composed of divers members,” because the head cares for the body as the king does for his people, “preventing all euill that may come to the body or any part thereof” (par. 29). Macbeth cannot fulfill this role; he does not prevent evil but causes it. Another contemporary theory of kingship was the idea that “the realm is in the king, and the king in the realm” (Kantorowicz 223). If this is so, then the evil in Macbeth is represented by the changes that take place throughout his kingdom.

The land begins to reflect this evil in its monarch through weird and supernatural occurrences. Soon after Duncan’s death, Ross notes that “by th’ clock ‘tis day / And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp,” (2.4.6-7) the sun, as if the sky is “troubled with man’s act” (2.4.5). The land is shrouded in darkness, and is therefore barren, no longer fertile and healthy; nothing can grow without the light of the sun. The barrenness of the land is particularly significant following the unsexing of Lady Macbeth. She and Macbeth have no children, and cannot now that she has become unsexed; she asked the spirits to “make thick [her] blood” (1.5.41) and to “take [her] milk for gall;” (1.5.46) rendering her incapable of menstruation or of nursing a child. This is another kind of perversion; women were expected to raise children and especially heirs. Lady Macbeth has achieved her purpose, and Macbeth is now king, but as he laments, he has received “a fruitless crown” and “a barren sceptre” (3.1.62-63). The unnatural infertility of the couple themselves becomes manifest in the sunless landscape, which can hold life no more than Lady Macbeth herself can.

Ross discusses other strange happenings with an old man: that “a falcon…was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed,” (2.4.12-13) and that Duncan’s horses “ate each other” (2.4.18) after turning “wild in nature…as they would make war with mankind” (2.4.16-18). The land no longer has a true king to care for it, only a murderous usurper who continues to kill. When Macbeth perverts nature and claims the throne, the land becomes sick as a result. Every creature is becoming as unnatural as Macbeth and his wife, as twisted as their foul deeds.
Trouble also manifests itself in the form of mental illness. Macbeth sees visions—first, of a dagger leading him to Duncan on the night of the murder, and later of Banquo’s ghost. It is unclear whether the ghost and the dagger actually appear to him or whether he hallucinates them—only he can see these apparitions—but either way, they suggest another kind of scourge visited upon him for the unnatural acts he commits and the order he upsets. Banquo’s ghost, in particular, plagues him, and reveals the guilt he feels over the death of his former friend. He begs the ghost to “never shake thy gory locks at me” (3.4.49-50) and says the vision “might appal the devil” (3.4.59). Macbeth greatly fears this apparent rising up of the dead, and begs the ghost to leave. If Macbeth has disturbed the land so much that the dead rise from their graves to torment him for his deeds, then his reign must be terrible indeed. If he is so anguished over what he has done that he hallucinates Banquo’s presence, then the affliction he has wrought in the landscape is now manifesting itself within his own mind, as it will with Lady Macbeth later on.

Lady Macbeth finds, after a time, that she can no longer be unsexed and without remorse. She breaks down and becomes sick, as the land itself has become sick. She begins to sleepwalk, and while she does so she speaks aloud of her terrible deeds. Her affliction is foreshadowed by the voice Macbeth hears after murdering Duncan: “Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep” (2.2.33-34). This mysterious occurrence hints that Lady Macbeth’s restlessness is due to the fact that she and Macbeth chose to murder Duncan while he was sleeping and defenseless. Having helped to murder a sleeping king—God’s servant on earth according to contemporary kingship theories—she herself is no longer able to sleep well, but paces her room and talks to herself. Sleep is, of course, a natural and necessary process. The doctor who comes to see her describes the sleepwalking as “a great perturbation in nature” (5.1.8). Lady Macbeth is no longer able to sleep restfully—because her conscience finally begins to trouble her and because this affliction is perhaps a form of divine punishment for her wickedness. James I notes that it is “the providence of God to stirre up such scourges as pleaseth him” to punish wicked kings (par. 45). And although she declared previously that water would easily wash the blood off her hands, she wrings her hands and mutters as she sleepwalks that her hands will never be clean, that “the smell of blood still” is on them (5.1.42). She is becoming sick in her mind because of what she has done. As the doctor concludes, “unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles” (5.1.61-62). Her attempt to strip herself of her gender has now failed because her conscience has returned; her attempt to overthrow the natural order is collapsing. Her apparent death by suicide—offstage and signaled by “the cry of women”—is her final unnatural act, a last crime against herself, according to contemporary values (5.5.8). Lady Macbeth can no longer live in the unstable world she has created for herself by trying to go against nature and divine will.

Macbeth is unafraid of his own downfall, for a time, because of the witches’ misleading prophecies, but he knows that all is not well. He tells the doctor, “if thou couldst…cast / The water of my land, find her disease, / And purge it to a sound and pristine health, I would applaud thee” (5.3.52-55). He senses that there is something deeply wrong with his kingdom, but he does not know how to solve the problems he has created. The problem, of course, is Macbeth himself, and his corrupt kingship. But he persists in believing that no harm can come to him, as the witches have told him, “till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane” (5.3.62) and that “no man that’s born of woman” will defeat him (5.3.6). He is confident because such events seem impossible—forests cannot move, and there is no man who does not have a mother. Macbeth claims that he will “never sag with doubt nor shake with fear” because neither part of the prophecy could ever occur (5.3.10). He mentions Birnam Forest over and over, in particular—saying he has nothing to fear until the forest comes to Dunsinane.  

But in the unnatural world that Macbeth has created, anything could be possible. Just after Lady Macbeth’s death—after she can no longer threaten the natural order—comes Macbeth’s undoing. A messenger arrives with this news: “I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought / The wood began to move” (5.5.32-33). What he sees is, in fact, soldiers camouflaged with leaves and twigs, but the symbolic significance of this event is worthy of examination.  Macbeth has made the land diseased through his own corruption because he has murdered its divinely-ordained king and has assumed the throne for himself, and because he has become a tyrant, killing his subjects to maintain his power. When Macbeth hears the messenger’s words, it seems for a moment as if the ultimate revolt is taking place, as if the land itself is rising up against his unnatural reign. At this moment, he knows that the prophecy has been fulfilled, and he will be defeated.

Although Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are powerful in their corruption, they are unable to fight against nature forever. Their sick deeds, manifested in the land, came back to haunt them literally as well as figuratively, ultimately leading to their separate demises in the form of divine retribution. Macbeth is defeated by the forces of Malcolm, who has never been with a woman, and Macduff, who “was from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped” (5.10.15-16). Both men are untainted by the kind of corrupting force that Lady Macbeth had exerted on her husband. Malcolm becomes a monarch with the right to rule under James I’s theory of kingship, both because he is the son of Duncan, who was a true king, and because he has not murdered the innocent or otherwise gone against nature to gain his position. Malcolm is sanctioned by God, able to act as the head to his kingdom in a way that Macbeth cannot. With Macbeth’s death and Malcolm's ascension to the throne, the natural order is restored and the land can begin to heal itself under the guidance of a king who is capable of compassion and care for his kingdom.

James I. The True Law of Free Monarchies. 1598. Primary Source Documents. 20 Apr. 2007.

Kantorowicz, Ernst H. The King's Two Bodies: a Study in Mediaeval Political Theology. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1957.

Shakespeare, William. "Macbeth." The Norton Shakespeare. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1997. 2555-2618.

James I. The True Law of Free Monarchies. 1598. Primary Source Documents. 20 Apr. 2007.

Kantorowicz, Ernst H. The King's Two Bodies: a Study in Mediaeval Political Theology. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1957.

Shakespeare, William. "Macbeth." The Norton Shakespeare. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1997. 2555-2618.

  

Labbe, M. A. (2010). "Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth." , (02). Retrieved from

Labbe, Michelle A. "Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth." 2.02 (2010). < >

Labbe, Michelle A. 2010. Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth. 2 (02),

LABBE, M. A. 2010. Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth. [Online], 2. Available:

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Kingship in Macbeth

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Kingship in Macbeth

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Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth

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GCSE grade 9 macbeth essay on the theme of kinghsip AQA/edexcel

GCSE grade 9 macbeth essay on the theme of kinghsip AQA/edexcel

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

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macbeth kingship thesis

how is kingship presented in macbeth? this is a gcse macbeth essay which recieved a grade 9 26 out of 30 it includes : -thesis statement -3 peels paragraphs with detailed analysis

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  1. Kingship in Macbeth

    Thesis: Shakespeare cleverly crafts the themes of kingship/tyranny/natural order through the devolution of Macbeth. By contrasting morality and corruption within Macbeth and Banquo, Shakespeare cautions against ambition and associates it with the supernatural - a very disturbing idea for the contemporary audience, contributing to Shakespeare's overall purpose of trying to flatter King James ...

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    Get free homework help on William Shakespeare's Macbeth: play summary, scene summary and analysis and original text, quotes, essays, character analysis, and filmography courtesy of CliffsNotes. In Macbeth , William Shakespeare's tragedy about power, ambition, deceit, and murder, the Three Witches foretell Macbeth's rise to King of Scotland but also prophesy that future kings will descend from ...

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    Kingship In Macbeth Essay. Kingship is a prevalent theme in Macbeth, one of William Shakespeares most well-known plays. Macbeth, the titular character, is thrust into the role of king after Duncan, his predecessor, is murdered. Macbeth is quickly overwhelmed by the responsibility of being king and this inexperience leads to him making a number ...

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    pdf, 45.55 KB. A top band, Grade 9 essay on the question of: "Starting with this speech (Act 4 Scene 3), explore how Shakespeare presents the theme of Kingship in Macbeth". Full mark model to be used for revision, notes, or lesson examples. AQA and Edexcel suited, and written specifically for the AQA GCSE English Literature mark scheme.

  10. Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth

    In England and Scotland, the notion of a king's divine right to rule gained leverage during the reign of King James I. In James's The True Law of Free Monarchies, first published in 1598, he describes his philosophy concerning monarchy, suggesting that kings are higher beings who owe their kingship to the will of God.The nature of kingship in William Shakespeare's 1606 play Macbeth ...

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    Macbeth comes to be king through immoral means and his rule continues in this way. When Duncan is fair, Macbeth is tyrannical and becomes murderous. His rule is a brutal dictatorship. Edward is King of England and, in contrast to Macbeth, is portrayed as a good king, well-liked by his people. Malcolm, Duncan's son, is crowned King at the end ...

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    6 Found helpful • 2 Pages • Essays / Projects • Year: Pre-2021. A level 9 essay exploring the importance of the theme of Kingship in Macbeth consisting of detailed and thoroughly explored points. This essay is guaranteed to help you get top marks. Each point is backed up by accurately quoted quotes and any relevant contextual points, all ...

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  16. Kingship in Macbeth

    During the time of Shakespeare, people believed that kings were appointed by God, they are God's representatives on earth. The killing of the king was an evil act shown by Macbeth, showing the measures he would take to become king, even by destroying the natural order. He has gone against God and nature. In the beginning of act 1, scene 4 ...

  17. PDF Six Macbeth' essays by Wreake Valley students

    s on transfers all that built-up rage into it. Lady Macbeth is shown by Shakespeare to be strongly emotional, passionate and ambitious; these act almost as her ham. rtias leading to her eventual suicide in act 5. Shakespeare's specific portrayal of Lady Macbeth is done to shock the audience, she. is a character contradic.

  18. Exploration of Leadership and Kingship in Macbeth

    Summary: In Macbeth, Shakespeare explores leadership and kingship by contrasting the tyrannical rule of Macbeth with the benevolent and just leadership of Duncan and Malcolm. Macbeth's ambition ...

  19. Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth

    1958. In 1957 Ernst Kantorowicz published a book that would be the guide for generations of scholars through the arcane mysteries of medieval political theology. In "The King's Two Bodies," Kantorowicz…. Expand. 1,086. Semantic Scholar extracted view of "Corruption and Theories of Kingship in Macbeth" by M. Labbe.

  20. GCSE grade 9 macbeth essay on the theme of kinghsip AQA/edexcel

    how is kingship presented in macbeth? this is a gcse macbeth essay which recieved a grade 9 26 out of 30 it includes :-thesis statement-3 peels paragraphs with detailed analysis. it can be used as a model response and can be taken inspiration from let me know how you guys find it and if you want anymore model essays .