Sunday, September 22, 2013

What are some "Virtues of Kingship" seen in the play Macbeth?

In Act 4 Scene 3 of Macbeth, Malcolm
details for Macduff the "king-becoming graces" that one must have when he rules. 
Malcolm claims that a king must have "justice, verity, temp'rance, stableness, bounty,
perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, [and] fortitude."  Malcolm
claims to have none of these traits.  However, his father Duncan had several of them. 
For example, when King Duncan realizes that Macbeth has fought valiantly for the
Scottish army, he decides to reward Macbeth by giving him an additional title.  Duncan
exhibits his kingly graces by honoring the man who has fought on behalf of the kingdom. 
Similarly, although Malcolm feels that he has none of these traits, he manages to
exhibit them at the end of the play when the English army rushes in to overtake
Macbeth.  Malcolm is brave and seeks justice for the homeland that has been disgraced by
Macbeth's greed and ambition.

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