Duncan’s Sacred Authority

The Killer

This flow follows Duncan’s claims to legitimate rule, his public rituals, and the violence that exposes their political foundations.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Beloved Sovereign The Beloved Sovereign from "The Killer". The Beloved Sovereign Official Praise Macbett calls Duncan generous, brave, and virtuous, presenting loyalty as the proper response to a good ruler.

The Beloved Sovereign Official Praise Macbett calls Duncan generous, brave, and virtuous, presenting loyalty as the proper response to a good ruler. Contradictory Evidence Glamiss and Candor describe a ruler who takes land, recruits, food, and women for the state.

Victory and Reward Victory and Reward from "The Killer". Victory and Reward Authority Reasserted Duncan thanks the army and rewards Macbett with a title, while reserving conquered lands for the crown.

Victory and Reward from "The Killer". Victory and Reward Authority Reasserted Duncan thanks the army and rewards Macbett with a title, while reserving conquered lands for the crown.

Victory and Reward Authority Reasserted Duncan thanks the army and rewards Macbett with a title, while reserving conquered lands for the crown. Selective Generosity The ceremony presents royal favor as benevolence even as the ruler controls the rewards and punishments.

Mass Execution Mass Execution from "The Killer". Mass Execution State Violence Duncan orders thousands of prisoners executed and treats the scale of killing as an evening’s entertainment.

Mass Execution from "The Killer". Mass Execution State Violence Duncan orders thousands of prisoners executed and treats the scale of killing as an evening’s entertainment.

Mass Execution State Violence Duncan orders thousands of prisoners executed and treats the scale of killing as an evening’s entertainment. Moral Authority Erodes The ruler’s claims to justice are undermined by indiscriminate punishment and ceremonial indifference.

The Healing Rite The Healing Rite from "The Killer". The Healing Rite Sacred Performance A monk crowns Duncan, blesses his robe, and affirms the healing power attached to the sovereign.

The Healing Rite from "The Killer". The Healing Rite Sacred Performance A monk crowns Duncan, blesses his robe, and affirms the healing power attached to the sovereign.

The Healing Rite Sacred Performance A monk crowns Duncan, blesses his robe, and affirms the healing power attached to the sovereign. Legitimacy Staged The rite joins religious authority to royal office immediately before conspirators turn the ceremony against him.

The King Assassinated The King Assassinated from "The Killer". The King Assassinated Ritual Broken Lady Duncan, Banco, and Macbett attack Duncan during the ceremony in which his authority has just been affirmed.

The King Assassinated from "The Killer". The King Assassinated Ritual Broken Lady Duncan, Banco, and Macbett attack Duncan during the ceremony in which his authority has just been affirmed.

The King Assassinated Ritual Broken Lady Duncan, Banco, and Macbett attack Duncan during the ceremony in which his authority has just been affirmed. Sacred Symbols Fall His cloak, crown, and scepter are separated from him as he is killed, exposing the vulnerability beneath the royal image.

In the opening conversation of the play

After the rebellion is defeated

During the execution of Candor’s forces

On the first day of the month at the palace

At the close of the healing ceremony