Shakespeare, Kingship, and the Chain of Being in Macbeth

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Shakespeare, Kingship, and the Chain of Being in Macbeth

Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" is largely based upon the theme of

kingship. "Macbeth" was written for James the 1st, who would have been

interested in kingship and believed in the "chain of being" and the

"divine right" of kings. The "chain of being" is the belief that

everything is connected like a chain, and is affected by anything

above it. God was believed to be at the top of the chain, and the King

was believed to be the highest on earth. The "divine right" was the

belief that rightful kings were put there by God, and should not be

removed. Shakespeare represents these with the prosperity when Duncan

is king and the unnaturalness and evil, which is present when Macbeth

becomes king by evil means. This is emphasised because James the 1st

traced his ancestors to Banquo, whose descendents were the rightful

kings of Scotland. The theme of kingship may also have been cautionary

to anyone plotting to kill James, as Macbeth was written the year

after the famous "Gunpowder Plot".

At the beginning of the play, Duncan is the rightful king of Scotland,

there by his "divine right". In his first appearance, King Duncan

performs two of the basic duties of a king, punishing the bad and

rewarding the good. Upon learning of the treachery of the Thane of

Cawdor and the heroism of Macbeth, he says, "No more that Thane of

Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest: go pronounce his present

death, and with his former title greet Macbeth." The chain of being is

intact, and Duncan is showing good kingship by punishing the Thane of

Cawdor for treason and rewarding Macbeth for his bravery.

When ...

... middle of paper ...

...ion, patience, courage,

fortitude". This is Shakespeare's idea of the perfect king.

At the end of the play, Malcolm is restored to his rightful place as

king of Scotland. The people support their king again, and they shout

"Hail, king of Scotland." The country is united around their king

again, not separated as they were under Macbeth. Shakespeare is trying

to show that when the chain of being is intact, the country is in

unity.

In conclusion, Shakespeare uses the theme of kingship in Macbeth to

warn people about what happens if you break the chain of being. The

murder and disturbance in nature, and Macbeth's madness show that

nothing good can come form killing the monarch, and the countries

unity under Malcolm show that everything is peaceful and prosperous

under a king that is on the throne by "divine right".

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