Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-power [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth.md) › Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power # Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power English Lit: AQA GCSE Macbeth, topic 3.1.9 ![](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/a661296f-752d-4ad6-b97d-9ad83b8db84a/crown-960740__480.jpg) There is a lot of debate over what exactly motivates Macbeth to murder King Duncan. However, it is clear that Macbeth wants power. The Great Chain of Being was an idea that God set out an order for everything in the universe. At the top was God, then his angels, then chosen by God would be the king or queen of the country. A Jacobean audience believed that this gave the king or queen the ability to speak directly to God and that disobeying the king or queen was a sin. ![](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-02/61d7ccf7-64e1-4106-945e-f12e5d3d6e89/macbeth-.jpg) For Macbeth, stealing the throne by killing King Duncan was a great risk and a terrible sin, but he was willing to commit this sin if it meant taking power. He’s not trying to be closer to God, as he would be committing a great sin against the natural order of society. ## Test yourself on Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power - Why does Macbeth murder King Duncan? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/155ff5e0-374d-11e8-b1d7-1d16c592d2f8/section/89639828-6d89-4b06-b293-f22b664b7ad2/session) - Previous topic: [3.1.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-madness.md) - Next topic: [3.2.1 Masculine & Ruthless](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-1-masculine-and-ruthless.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Macbeth contents ### 1 Literary & Cultural Context - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-1-tragedy.md) - [1.1.2 The Supernatural](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-2-the-supernatural.md) - [1.1.3 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-3-gender.md) - [1.1.4 Politics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-4-politics.md) - [1.1.5 Monarchy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-5-monarchy.md) - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-context.md) ### 2 Plot Summary - 2.1 Act 1 - [2.1.1 Scenes 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-1-scenes-1-and-2.md) - [2.1.2 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-2-scene-3.md) - [2.1.3 Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-3-scenes-4-5.md) - [2.1.4 Scenes 6-7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-4-scenes-6-7.md) - [2.1.5 End of Topic Test - Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-5-end-of-topic-test-act-1.md) - 2.2 Acts 2-4 - [2.2.1 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-2-1-act-2.md) - [2.2.2 Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-2-2-act-3.md) - [2.2.3 Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-2-3-act-4.md) - 2.3 Act 5 - [2.3.1 Scenes 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-1-scenes-1-3.md) - [2.3.2 Scenes 4-8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-2-scenes-4-8.md) - [2.3.3 End of Topic Test - Acts 2-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-3-end-of-topic-test-acts-2-5.md) - [2.3.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-ambiguous-ending.md) - [2.3.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-jacobean.md) ### 3 Characters - 3.1 Macbeth - [3.1.1 Hero vs Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-1-hero-vs-villain.md) - [3.1.2 Ambition & Fate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-2-ambition-and-fate.md) - [3.1.3 Relationship](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-3-relationship.md) - [3.1.4 Unstable](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-4-unstable.md) - [3.1.5 Tyrant](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-5-tyrant.md) - [3.1.6 End of Topic Test - Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-6-end-of-topic-test-macbeth.md) - [3.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cowardice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-cowardice.md) - [3.1.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-madness.md) - [3.1.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-power.md) - 3.2 Lady Macbeth - [3.2.1 Masculine & Ruthless](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-1-masculine-and-ruthless.md) - [3.2.2 Manipulative & Disturbed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-2-manipulative-and-disturbed.md) - [3.2.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - NOT a Man](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-not-a-man.md) - [3.2.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-villain.md) - 3.3 Other Characters - [3.3.1 Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-1-banquo.md) - [3.3.2 The Witches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-2-the-witches.md) - [3.3.3 Exam-Style Questions - The Witches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-3-exam-style-questions-the-witches.md) - [3.3.4 King Duncan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-4-king-duncan.md) - [3.3.5 Macduff](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-5-macduff.md) - [3.3.6 End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-6-end-of-topic-test-lady-macbeth-and-banquo.md) - [3.3.7 End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-7-end-of-topic-test-witches-duncan-and-macduff.md) - [3.3.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-banquo.md) - 3.4 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.4.1 Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-4-1-grade-9-lady-macbeth-questions.md) ### 4 Themes - 4.1 Themes - [4.1.1 Power & Ambition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-1-power-and-ambition.md) - [4.1.2 Power & Ambition HyperLearning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-2-power-and-ambition-hyperlearning.md) - [4.1.3 Violence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-3-violence.md) - [4.1.4 The Supernatural](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-4-the-supernatural.md) - [4.1.5 Masculinity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-5-masculinity.md) - [4.1.6 Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-6-armour-kingship-and-the-natural-order.md) - [4.1.7 Appearances & Deception](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-7-appearances-and-deception.md) - [4.1.8 Madness & Blood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-8-madness-and-blood.md) - [4.1.9 Women, Children & Sleep](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-9-women-children-and-sleep.md) - [4.1.10 End of Topic Test - Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-10-end-of-topic-test-themes.md) - [4.1.11 End of Topic Test - Themes 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-11-end-of-topic-test-themes-2.md) - 4.2 Grade 9 - Themes - [4.2.1 Grade 9 - Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-2-1-grade-9-themes.md) - [4.2.2 Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-2-2-extract-analysis.md) ### 5 Writer's Techniques - 5.1 Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques - [5.1.1 Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/5-1-1-structure-meter-and-dramatic-irony.md) - [5.1.2 Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/5-1-2-pathetic-fallacy-and-symbolism.md) - [5.1.3 End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/5-1-3-end-of-topic-test-writers-techniques.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Characters Quotes - [6.1.1 Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-1-macbeth.md) - [6.1.2 Macbeth 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-2-macbeth-2.md) - [6.1.3 Macbeth 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-3-macbeth-3.md) - [6.1.4 Macbeth 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-4-macbeth-4.md) - [6.1.5 Lady Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-5-lady-macbeth.md) - [6.1.6 Lady Macbeth 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-6-lady-macbeth-2.md) - [6.1.7 Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-7-banquo.md) - [6.1.8 Banquo 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-8-banquo-2.md) - [6.1.9 The Witches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-9-the-witches.md) - [6.1.10 King Duncan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-10-king-duncan.md) - [6.1.11 Macduff](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-11-macduff.md) - [6.1.12 Extra Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-12-extra-questions.md) - 6.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [6.2.1 Violence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-1-violence.md) - [6.2.2 The Supernatural](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-2-the-supernatural.md) - [6.2.3 Ambition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-3-ambition.md) - [6.2.4 Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-4-armour-kingship-and-the-natural-order.md) - [6.2.5 Appearances & Deception](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-5-appearances-and-deception.md) - [6.2.6 Lady Macbeth's Masculinity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-6-lady-macbeths-masculinity.md) - [6.2.7 Madness & Blood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-7-madness-and-blood.md) - [6.2.8 Men, Children & Sleep](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-8-men-children-and-sleep.md)