This AQA English GCSE textbook will provide you with a high-quality resource that will assist you in preparing for your exams. These documents include comprehensive exam practice questions which cover important themes in the play, Macbeth, plus, it has been fully revised and updated throughout. The...
The Great Chain of Being states that the society is built on a hierarchy
with minerals being at the bottom of this hierarchy and God being at the
top. Everyone in society has a role that is set out of them and is believed
to be God’s will.
Why was such an important concept in the Jacobean era?
During the Jacobean era, people were very religious and The Great
Chain of Being was significant to them, anyone who was against this
would be viewed as sinful.
Why would a Jacobean audience react to the opening scene with the
witches?
A Jacobean audience would react negatively to the opening scene of
witches due to witches being viewed as evil, they bring distress, fear and
are blamed upon for any misfortunate events that occur. They are
viewed as darkness, so to lead yourself into it would only lead to
destruction.
How would a Jacobean audience have viewed Macbeth? Why?
A Jacobean audience would have viewed negatively upon Macbeth’s
immoral actions as his thoughts were to mess with The Great Chain of
Being for his own ambition of becoming King and killing King Duncan to
achieve this plan. In the Jacobean era people were religious and viewed
The Great Chain of Being as the will of God, so one must not go against
it but accept their roles in society, however, due to Macbeth’s ambition
and lack of acceptance he was not truly welcoming of his role of Thane
of Cawdor yet wanted to achieve more and saw darkness as his key and
his hope to rearranging The Great Chain of Being. This would have been
looked down upon as his thoughts are filled with evil to change The
, Great Chain of Being and would be believed that he is going against
God’s plan for society by solely viewing his aim and his continuous path
of trying to keep up with this idea of bravery and not being seen as
‘cowardice’ by not going for his ambition yet looked upon as strong and
hardy by achieving his aim.
What is meant by the term “regicide”?
Regicide is the action of killing a king
How does regicide relate to the Great Chain of Being?
Regicide relates to the Great Chain of Being as the Great Chain of Being
states that society and everyone has a place and role in society which is
set out in a hierarchical order in which this forms a chain. Those of
royalty are believed to be picked by God for their certain role and were
answerable to God, this is God’s will. Regicide relates to this as those
who disrupt The Great Chain of Being would be punished and would it
lead to their downfall. This Chain was set by God so to go against it is
and the plans of God is sinful and would only lead to their fall. The act of
murder is not accepted in Christianity and by God so due to Macbeth’s
act of regicide, he is no longer accepted and he cannot change or go
back before the act of murder so he would be punished. Also, as the
royalty were picked by God and their power is gained from God, which is
the divine right of Kings, so the act of killing one who is chosen by God,
that individual is going against the act of God which is unrighteous.
How is this conducive of Jacobean beliefs?
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