How is kingship presented in Macbeth Shakespeare presents kingship in Macbeth as divinely appointed by God, and when Macbeth murders King Duncan he disrupts the natural and spiritual order. The play explores the difference between a good king and a bad king by comparing King Duncan's reign versus Macbeth's rule. Even after Macbeth is killed and Malcolm takes the throne, Scotland recovers as he is a good king. This theme is important because in Jacobean audiences, belief in killing the king was the worst thing you could do as a year before the play was performed the gun plot occurred in parliament. Poor place, making people reluctant to go against the monarchy. Overall, Shakespeare suggests that throughout Macbeth's reign was disastrous and wrong. Firstly, Shakespeare presents King Duncan as an example of a good and rightful king. Duncan is shown to be kind and generous, which suggests he is a trusting king worthy of his title. This is shown when Duncan says "O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!" Here he is shown to be praising Macbeth after the battle, emphasising Duncan's kindness and Macbeth's betrayal. Another example, in the line "his virtues will plead like angels" highlights that Duncan is a moral innocent king. The word "angels" implies Duncan is heavenly and pure. Shakespeare uses Duncan's language to show how great a king he was, making the audience view Duncan as a great, rightful king. A Jacobean audience believed kings were chosen by God so Macbeth's murder was a direct betrayal of God meaning audience shocked at the time as they were extremely religious. Shakespeare presents Duncan positively to show how ideal and comparison to how negative Macbeth was but also shows his betrayal under a giant spotlight. This is showing that Shakespeare presents rightful kingship as something you are appointed and not something you can just take like Macbeth did. In contrast, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a corrupt and tyrannical king. Macbeth's rule is shown to be based on fear and violence, which suggests he uses murder to gain and keep power making him a radical leader. This is seen when Macbeth says "I am in blood stepp'd in so far." The use of the word blood suggests Macbeth is a violent and guilty king. Shakespeare shows Macbeth's kingship as immoral because he gained his title by committing regicide and murdering his friends and their family. This creates the impression that Macbeth is unfit to rule since he went against nature's course and crossed moral boundaries. Jacobean audiences believed that a bad king would cause chaos in the kingdom and Macbeth's behaviour would be seen as a warning against a Jacobean audience that ambition without a moral compass to keep you in the right path has severe consequences. Therefore, Shakespeare presents Macbeth's kingship as dangerous and destructive. Shakespeare also presents Malcolm as the rightful heir who restores order. Malcolm represents the qualities of a good king because he makes Scotland great again after Macbeth's downfall. He unites with Macduff, whereas Macbeth wanted alone as he could not trust anyone. Shakespeare shows his kingship was important. This is shown when Malcolm says: "The king becoming graces." This implies he knows correct makes a good king and values morality and leadership qualities. Shakespeare uses Malcolm's careful and honest language to show how he is a rightful and good king. This makes the audience trust Malcolm because he is a clear foil to Macbeth's leadership making him trustworthy and a fit heir to Scotland's throne. A good king was expected to be wise, fair and chosen by God. Malcolm's behaviour reflects the qualities of a rightful heir in Shakespeare's time. This shows that Shakespeare presents Malcolm as the future hope of Scotland. In conclusion, Shakespeare presents kingship as a vital part of a stable society. Duncan, Macbeth and Malcolm each show different types of kingship. Duncan's rule was rightful but could be blind to corruption at times. Macbeth's rule was corrupt and chaotic this leaded in the natural order being disrupted and Scotland fell apart. Malcolm's kingship restored the natural order, and saved Scotland from tyranny by being a great king like Duncan, so still hesitant of letting people close without fully trusting them and knowing their true intentions. Shakespeare may have wanted the audience to understand that a great king puts his country before himself and doesn't become blinded by ambition like Macbeth did.