MB Context

Question 1

King James 1st

Answer 1

Shakespeare wanted to flatter the king with this play as he portrays his ancestor, Banquo, as morally righteous in the play (when reacting to the prophecy).

Question 2

What is regicide?

Answer 2

The murder of the monarch

Question 3

What was the divine right of kings? [2 marks]

Answer 3

• Monarchs were seen as God’s deputies on earth
• An attack on the monarch was simply an attack on God’s will so treason and regicide was seen as sacreligious

Question 4

What was the great chain of being? [3 marks]

Answer 4

• Belief that God put all living things into a heirarchy and even people had to obey this heirarchy.
• Attempt to change this social order was a sin against God
• The king was at the top of this ladder on earth

Question 5

Explain the theme of the supernatural [3 marks]

Answer 5

• King James beleived in witchcraft and even published a book, daeomonologie (1597) about it.
• His views led to massive witch hunts and many people dying.
• MacBeth fails to punish the witches, and uses them to carry out regicide. This would have been believed to cause his misfortunes.

Question 6

What does equivocation mean?

Answer 6

Speaking unclearly on purpose to avaoid telling the truth and lying

Question 7

What does sacreligious mean?

Answer 7

Going against something that is sacred