Macbeth Essay Plans: Kingship &
Deception | AQA 2026
How does Shakespeare present the theme of kingship in Macbeth?
Shakespeare presents contrasting models of kingship through Duncan, Macbeth, and
Malcolm. While Duncan represents divine right and benevolence, Macbeth is a tyrant whose
rule brings chaos and suffering. Malcolm, in contrast, is a hopeful return to order. This
reflects contemporary anxieties about what makes a legitimate and godly king, especially
for a Jacobean audience under James I.
Point Key Quotes Methods Context (AO3) Alternative
Interpretation
Duncan “O valiant Exclamatory Duncan’s His failure to
embodies the cousin! Worthy phrases show kingship judge character
divine right of gentleman” – warmth but represents the makes him
kings and moral his praise of gullibility. divine right of partly
kingship Macbeth is kings – his responsible for
generous but murder is a sin the chaos that
naïve. against God. follows.
“There’s no art
to find the
mind’s
construction in
the face” –
dramatic irony:
Duncan’s
kindness blinds
him.
Macbeth’s rule “Upon my head Semantic field Macbeth’s reign Macbeth’s
is unnatural, they placed a of disease and disrupts the tyranny is the
tyrannical, and fruitless crown” corruption. natural order product of
destructive – Macbeth’s (Great Chain of external
kingship is Being), warning pressures
cursed; against (witches, wife),
infertility = no unlawful rule. not just his own
legacy. flaw.
“This tyrant,
whose sole
name blisters
our tongues” –
Malcolm uses
violent,
diseased
imagery to
Deception | AQA 2026
How does Shakespeare present the theme of kingship in Macbeth?
Shakespeare presents contrasting models of kingship through Duncan, Macbeth, and
Malcolm. While Duncan represents divine right and benevolence, Macbeth is a tyrant whose
rule brings chaos and suffering. Malcolm, in contrast, is a hopeful return to order. This
reflects contemporary anxieties about what makes a legitimate and godly king, especially
for a Jacobean audience under James I.
Point Key Quotes Methods Context (AO3) Alternative
Interpretation
Duncan “O valiant Exclamatory Duncan’s His failure to
embodies the cousin! Worthy phrases show kingship judge character
divine right of gentleman” – warmth but represents the makes him
kings and moral his praise of gullibility. divine right of partly
kingship Macbeth is kings – his responsible for
generous but murder is a sin the chaos that
naïve. against God. follows.
“There’s no art
to find the
mind’s
construction in
the face” –
dramatic irony:
Duncan’s
kindness blinds
him.
Macbeth’s rule “Upon my head Semantic field Macbeth’s reign Macbeth’s
is unnatural, they placed a of disease and disrupts the tyranny is the
tyrannical, and fruitless crown” corruption. natural order product of
destructive – Macbeth’s (Great Chain of external
kingship is Being), warning pressures
cursed; against (witches, wife),
infertility = no unlawful rule. not just his own
legacy. flaw.
“This tyrant,
whose sole
name blisters
our tongues” –
Malcolm uses
violent,
diseased
imagery to
