PRESENTATION OUTLINE
WHAT DO PEOPLE USUALLY THINK WHEN THEY HEAR "GOLD"
However, this is what it means to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth:
A consistent threat to their royalty and riches.
Overall Conclusion Part 1
Gold has always signified royalty and success. To Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, gold means royalty as well however since they both cheated the hierarchy to obtain the crown, gold no longer means the foundation of their royalty but rather that their power over Scotland is in persistent jeopardy. The usage of the word "gold" is important in all it's occasions because it is the situation in which it is being said. It is only ever mentioned in instances where there is a threat to their royalty, never the opposite. Gold has been claimed to create corruption and ungodliness ("100 Bible Verses about Gold").
Overall conclusion Part 2
Macbeth is quickly corrupted by his newly obtained wealthy and powerful position. He believes himself to be above the hierarchy he has chosen to throw into chaos, by becoming king. There are many religious undertones in "Macbeth," and the Bible has mentioned that sometimes gold and silver are used to cover the corruption for those who have it, and cannot hide from the wrath of God ("100 Bible Verses about Gold") , or even the nature of the hierarchy.
Now Prove it!
Here are hand-picked quotes with analysis that will prove that "gold" and it's variations are only ever used when pertaining to threats to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's royalty:
QUOTE 1
Lady Macbeth
"And chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round" (Shakespeare 15).
ANALYSIS
Duncan is the current holder of the throne and is what is in the way of Lady Macbeth's chance at royalty. He is the one with the "golden round" which is the crown Lady Macbeth wants.
QUOTE 2
Macbeth
"We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honored me of late; and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people" (Shakespeare 19)
Analysis
The breeding of doubt is a definite threat to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's kingship. He made this decision before killing Duncan, which would mean Macbeth would not be king had gone through with his own decision.
QUOTE 3
Malcolm
"The mere despair of surgery, he cures, hanging a golden stamp about their necks, put on with holy prayers" (Shakespeare 77).
ANALYSIS
Malcolm is praising the work of King Edward of England who is pleasant to his people, unlike Macbeth is as a king. It is mentioned that King Edward is a healer of evil (Shakespeare 77) and Malcolm mentioning that has merit becuse Malcolm is the most eager for revenge on Macbeth. If King Edward is a healer of evil, perhaps he could heal Scotland from it's evil: King Macbeth. That would mean Macbeth would have to be taken away from his throne, a clear threat to his royalty. King Edward will attempt to put a golden stamp around Scotland once he heals it, as he has some to all those he has healed.
QUOTE 4
Macbeth
"Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. And thy hair, thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first" (Shakespeare 65).
ANALYSIS
These apparitions presented by the witches are complete threats to his place on the crown, if they come true.
Picture citations (in order)
(Fuseli, Henry)
(Fuseli, Henry)
("Edward the Confessor, Silver Penny")
(Fuseli, Henry)
