Theme: Difference between Kingship and Tyranny

Model King (Duncan)

• Embodiment of order and justice

• Comfort and affection towards subjects

• Rewards based on merits

• Loyalty to Scotland above personal interests

Tyrant (Macbeth)

• Brings chaos to Scotland

• Symbolized by bad weather and supernatural events

• No real justice, only capricious murders

• Self-serving and power-hungry

Overcoming Tyranny

• Malcolm must defeat Macbeth

• Scotland can have a true king again

Act 4, Scene 3

• Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty

• Contrasts qualities of a model king and a tyrant

By exploring the differences between Duncan's kingship and Macbeth's tyranny, Shakespeare highlights the importance of just and loyal leadership for the well-being of a kingdom.