Abuse of power and kingship - Macbeth quotes

MACBETH- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: analyse the quote 'brave Macbeth' 'valour minion'

At the start of the play Macbeth has the ideal qualities of a noble king .

The captain calls him 'brave Macbeth' and 'Valour's minion' proving how admired and impressive Macbeth is.

The adjectives 'brave' and 'valour' both imply that he has a strength of character beyond being good in battle which would be ideal as a leader.

This makes it ironic that he does the cowardly act of killing Duncan in his sleep.

MACBETH- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: what is a quote for Macbeth for abuse of power and kingship (near the beginning)

'Brave Macbeth' 'valour minion'

MACBETH- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: what is a quote for Macbeth for abuse of power and kingship ('barefaced power')?

''I could with my barefaced power sweep him from my sight // And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not''

MACBETH- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: analyse the quote '' I could with my barefaced power sweep him from my sight''// And my bid will avouch it, yet I must not''

Macbeth acknowledges his ability to control others by violent means by sawing that '' I could with my barefaced power sweep him from my sight''//And my bid will avouch it, yet I must not'' when pondering what to do about Banquo.

'Barefaced' implies that he could be shameless and outright in his murderous ways while 'sweep him from my sight'' connotates a god- like control over reality .

MACBETH- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: what is a quote for Macbeth for abuse of power and kingship (his friends response after he dies)?

In contrast, Macbeths death is celebrated by his subjects, and presented as a moment of liberation from Scotland

While Duncan is portrayed with heavenly and god like description Macbeth is referred to as 'hell hound' and 'a dead butcher and his fiend like queen' .

The noun 'hound' dehumanises him, suggesting he is a savage and brutish . Alternatively, it implies he was a slave to violence over his master , the devil.

Macbeth has lost his titles and universally hated - a contrast from his reputation at the beginning of the play.

MACDUFF- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: what is a quote for Macduff for abuse of power and kingship ? (worried for his country)

Through act 4 scene 3 Macduff express what it's like to be a good king and mourns for his country's loss. He weep "Bleed bleed poor country. Great tyranny lie thou thy basis sure. For goodness dare not check thee' showing how Patrioc he is .

The phrase 'bleed bleed' personifies Scotland, portraying it is a wounded body. This reinforces the idea that the way a monarch leads his country impacts the whole whole land to its core. The image of 'blood contrasts with

MACDUFF- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: what is a quote for Macduff for abuse of power and kinship (fit to govern?) act 4 scene 3

"Fit to govern?/ No, not love.- O nation miserable! With an untitled tyrant, bloody- sceptred/ When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again? "

MACDUFF- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: analyse the quote "Fit to govern?/ No, not to live. O nation miserable! With an untitled tyrant, bloody- sceptred/ When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again? " act 4 scene 3

When Macduff hears Malcolm lie about Macbeth's flaws, he cried out, "Fit to govern?/ No, not to live.- O nation miserable! With an untitled tyrant, bloody- sceptred/ When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again? "

Macduff is dismayed but the fate of his country because of the king who rules it.

He suggests the country is 'miserable' because it is governed by a usurper who went against the will of God.

Moreover, the rhetorical question and answer he supplies, Fit to govern?/ No, not to live" implies being an inadequate, corrupt king is a crime worthy of death

MACDUFF- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP- what is a quote for Macduff for abuse of power and kingship ( said at the crime scene) ? Act 2 scene 3

" Confusion now hath his masterpiece: / Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope/ The Lord's anointed temple and stole thence / The life o'th'building, "

act 2 scene 3

MACDUFF- ABUSE OF POWER AND KINGSHIP: analyse the quote " Confusion now hath his masterpiece: / Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope/ The Lord's anointed temple and stole thence / The life o'th'building, "

Duncan's corpse is described with allusions to piety and royalty, reflecting of a king is the death of God's chosen representative on earth.

Macduff describes the crime scene, " Confusion now hath his masterpiece: / Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope/ The Lord's anointed temple and stole thence / The life o'th'building, "

The adjective "sacrilegious" alludes to the Divine Right of Kings, Duncan's body is described as " The Lord's anointed temple", conveying his sanctity and importance

By presenting Duncan's corpse as a "temple" made of "silver" and "gold", Shakespeare implies he wasn't human. This means the qualities of a good king go beyond his mind. A good king can be identified from his very form and essence.