1. The Cycle of Violence: Shakespeare demonstrates that killing a king often leads to a cycle of violence and retribution, as seen in plays like "Hamlet", where the murder of King Hamlet sets in motion a chain of events that results in the deaths of several other characters.
2. The Loss of Order: The killing of a king disrupts the established social and political order, leading to chaos and uncertainty. This is evident in plays like "King Lear", where the division of the kingdom and the subsequent power struggle among Lear's daughters result in widespread disorder and suffering.
3. The Tragic Consequences: Shakespeare portrays the killing of a king as ultimately a tragic act, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the individual act itself. The murder of Duncan in "Macbeth" not only leads to Macbeth's downfall, but also disrupts the peace of Scotland and brings about a sense of guilt and remorse that haunts Macbeth throughout the play.
4. The Legitimacy of Power: Shakespeare explores the concept of the divine right of kings and questions the legitimacy of power obtained through violence or deceit. In plays like "Richard III," Shakespeare depicts the rise and fall of a ruthless king who comes to power by eliminating potential rivals, only to face retribution and an eventual tragic end.
5. The Importance of Justice: The killing of a king often goes unpunished, creating a sense of injustice and moral imbalance in the world of the plays. Shakespeare's exploration of the theme of justice emphasizes the need for accountability and consequences for wrongful actions, underscoring the moral significance of such acts.
Overall, by showing the negative consequences of killing a king, Shakespeare not only contributes to the development of dramatic themes and character conflicts, but also raises thought-provoking questions about power, morality, and the fragile nature of human relationships in a political context.