Macbeth Group

Question:

mano789
mano789
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Why do the men discuss the King of England in "Macbeth"?

Macbeth act4

Rate question:

Posted by mano789 on Thursday May 29, 2008 at 7:39 AM and tagged with characters, discuss, england, king, macbeth, men.

Answers:

  1. reidalot
    reidalot Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    They discuss the King of England, Edward, because he is thought to be able to cure disease with just his touch. This is an important asset for a king as it shows that he has powers bestowed from God, and thus is above ordinary people. In this scene, all those who are "swoll'n and ulcerous" (4.3.173) visit the King for this benediction (healing prayer and touch). The evil,is called the king's evil as he is the only one who can heal it. At the very end of the scene, they mention the King one more time as he has promised to provide troops to help them overthrow Macbeth in Scotland.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth

    Rate answer:

    Posted by reidalot on Thursday May 29, 2008 at 10:02 AM


  2. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    It is important to note that Shakespeare has the men discuss this good King to parallel Malcolm and Duncan with this good King and at the same time contrast the evils of Macbeth.  In this scene, the purpose is to make the audience that much more certain that Macbeth is the evil character and that his country is diseased simply because he is on the throne.  They need the help of the good King of England who has allied himself with the good future King of Scotland.  Together, they can not fail against the epitome of evil embodied within Macbeth.

    In addition, Shakespeare would be doing this to please the current King of England, James I, for whom the play was written.  Being the King of England, it is good to know that Kings of England are the good guys, and also that King James' ancestry is Scottish.  His ancestor, supposedly Banquo, was also the good guy in the story...killed by the evil Macbeth, but promised many Kings from his issue to sit on the throne. 

    So, the good vs. evil theme is supreme here, but there is also some very successful ego stroking going on. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth

    Rate answer:

    Posted by amy-lepore on Thursday May 29, 2008 at 10:07 AM