Exploration of Shakespeares Views on Kingship Through...

Exploration of Shakespeares Views on Kingship Through Macbeth Works Cited Not Included Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare in around 1606 and is Shakespeares shortest tragedy. He wrote Macbeth whilst James I was on the throne. James believed strongly in divine right. This may have helped Shakespeares views on kingship. In Macbeth there are four kings: Edward of England; Duncan; Malcolm and Macbeth. Of these four only Macbeth did not rule by divine right as he murdered the previous king so as to gain the throne. Also of these four only Macbeth can be described as a†¦show more content†¦He later betrays his country by swapping sides in battle. Duncan also has the disadvantage of being quite old. He is too weak to lead his army into war and has to rely on the Thanes. He doesnt give his plans a lot of thought. Duncan approves of violence and in Macbeths case, rewards it. The other characters in Macbeth greatly respect Duncan. Even Macbeth talks highly of Duncan both before and after Duncans death. People know that Duncan is a great king and hence he is treated with utmost respect. In Act 1 Scene 2 Ross says, god save the king. I believe that Duncan is also liked because when he speaks to people he speaks with dignity and respect for them and he is not patronizing. A good example of this can be found in Act 1 Scene 2 line 24 when says to the sergeant, O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!. It is must be remembered however that at that time people believed in the divine right of king. The king was seen to be Gods representative on earth and therefore the king was almost sacred in peoples eyes. Macduff in Act 4 Scene 3 line 109 refers to Duncan as a most sainted king. Even Lady Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 6 respects Duncan by saying to him, at your highnesses pleasure. Overall I believe that Shakespeare wants to portray Duncan as a good king. He bestows on Duncan the virtues of being gracious, open,Show MoreRelated Kingship in Shakesperean Plays Essay2522 Words   |  11 PagesKingship in Shakesperean Plays Due to the powerful influence of the monarchy, the nature, duties and responsibilities of kingship were of particular interest to Shakespeare. The mark of a bad king was the decline of the political, social and economic climates, while the mark of a good king was the blossoming of such worlds. Therefore, the characteristics of the person occupying the kingship were crucial to the health of the nation. Shakespeare explores this issue in many of his plays by examiningRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare and Macbeth8813 Words   |  36 Pageshero was to be pitied in his fallen plight but not necessarily forgiven: Greek tragedy frequently has a bleak outcome. Christian drama, on the other hand, always offers a ray of hope; hence,  Macbeth  ends with the coronation of  Malcolm, a new leader who exhibits all the correct virtues for a king. Macbeth  exhibits elements that reflect the greatest Christian tragedy of all: the Fall of Man. In the Genesis story, it is the weakness of Adam, persuaded by his wife (who has in turn been seduced byRead MoreLiterary Group in British Poetry5631 Words   |  23 PagesThis is generally taken as marking the beginning of Anglo-Saxon poetry. Much of the poetry of the period is difficult to date, or even to arrange chronologically; for example, estimates for the date of the great epic Beowulf range from AD 608 right through to AD 1000, and there has never been anything even approaching a consensus.[2] It is possible to identify certain key moments, however. The Dream of the Rood was written before circa AD 700, when excerpts were carved in runes on the Ruthwell Cross