ipl-logo

Honor And Loyalty In Macbeth

672 Words3 Pages

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare set in Scotland about a murderous and vehement king who spirals on a path of destruction as he suffers from the consequences of determining his own fate. The predominant theme portrayed throughout the play is honor vs. loyalty. This is represented through the identification, actions, and quotes of numerous characters.
To introduce the theme of honor vs. disloyalty, the characters Banquo and Macbeth exemplify traits that are equivalent with the moral of the story. In various parts of the play, Banquo can be characterized as loyal, thoughtful, and trustworthy. These traits are consistent with an honorable person and they are shown as Banquo constantly submits his allegiance to Macbeth. Although …show more content…

For example, Malcolm stated, “Macduff, this noble passion, child of integrity, hath from my soul wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts to thy good truth and honor.” (Act IV, Scn. III, Ln. 114-117) In this quote, Malcolm just finished testing Macduff’s loyalty to him and Scotland. Macduff openly admits that Malcolm would make and unsuccessful king. Instead of lying to Malcolm to make him feel better about himself, Macduff tells him the truth. This proves to Malcolm that Macduff could be trusted in their plot against Macbeth. This act of loyalty differs from Lady Macbeth who lies to her son about his father, Macduff. Lady Macbeth tells him, “Sirrah, your father’s dead; and what will you now? How will you live?” (Act IV, Scn. III, Ln. 30-31) Lady Macbeth puts disloyalty above honesty by lying to her son in order to cover up the fact that Macduff has apparently fled from Scotland. Although he is actually in England plotting against Macbeth, this does not keep her from lying to her son in order to keep him from feeling betrayed by his father’s retreat. This particular event also further proves the theme of honor vs. disloyalty. Finally, both of the quotes above show the quintessential impact of the theme on the

Show More
Related

  • Lust And Ambition In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

    741 Words  | 3 Pages

    A very explicit theme in the play Macbeth is: lust and ambition. This is can be probably seen in every character in the play: Macbeth, Young Siward, Malcolm, Lady Macbeth and many more. All of the characters are driven by a desire to do what they believe is best: it usually begins with ambition. Ambition tends to lead a person to lust whatever they desire and to try to achieve it. Lust is usually thought to be a bad emotion: in such a way that it tends to become evil, but in Macbeth it also shows a good side: showing the perseverance and pride it gives to the person.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Unchecked Quotes

    864 Words  | 4 Pages

    He states, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls” (4.1.150-152). At this point Macbeth is out of control and is killing anybody he suspects, showing that he is clearly paranoid and delusional. Once Macduff finds out his family is killed he decides to finally kill

    Read More

  • Examples Of Dishonourable Violence In Macbeth

    629 Words  | 3 Pages

    “To know my deed, twere best not know myself.” (2.2.92) Another death caused by Macbeth was the murder of Macduff's family. Macduff was a nobleman who had suspicions about Macbeth's true intentions. He decided he would go to England to speak with Malcom, King Duncan's eldest son. Together they shared opinions about Macbeth's tyranny over Scotland.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Loyalty In Macbeth

    522 Words  | 3 Pages

    After Malcolm runs away to England, the reader is left wondering where Malcolm's loyalties lie. The audience does not see Malcolm again until Act IV, where he tests Macduff’s loyalty. Malcolm makes up falsehoods about him to see if Macduff would still want him to be king. Malcolm finally tells Macduff the truth when Macduff proves his loyalty to Scotland. Malcolm tells Macduff, “ My first false speaking /

    Read More

  • Macbeth: Integrity

    1155 Words  | 5 Pages

    Macbeth Study Guide This response will analyze and evaluate the thematic messages regarding integrity that Shakespeare constructs through his use of literary devices and stylistic features. This essay will address the play Macbeth and the aspects regarding integrity such as representations or changes, character constructions along with their perspectives, and social/cultural beliefs and their expectations. In addition to this, the ways ideas, attitudes and values underpin the play will be discussed, the perspectives and representations of concepts, identities, times and places will also be examined through the use of aesthetic features in the play.

    Read More

  • Respect And Betrayal In Macbeth

    780 Words  | 4 Pages

    King is the highest honor someone could have during this time, with that comes respect and loyalty. The king is highly venerated and held at almost a holy standard. One would expect that someone who loves their country would also love their king. Often times the reason for someone not liking their king is the way they rule. Speaking in terms of the play Macbeth, Duncan-the king of Scotland- rules justly and fairly, but he still has plenty of traitors within his group of trusted men.

    Read More

  • Duncan's Betrayal In Macbeth

    402 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, since Macbeth is king of all the land opposing him would be treason. Yet Malcolm continues with his plan and forms an army that goes to attack Macbeth. Macduff ends up killing Macbeth himself. Moreover, Malcolm takes the throne for himself. Power and authority shifts once again.

    Read More

  • Responsibility Of The Witches Portrayed In Shakespeare's Macbeth?

    671 Words  | 3 Pages

    Outside King Edward 's castle, Malcolm talks with Macduff, letting him know that he doesn 't believe him since he has left his family in Scotland and may be furtively living up to expectations for Macbeth. To figure out if Macduff is dependable, Malcolm drifts on about his own indecencies. He concedes that he ponders whether he is fit to be lord, since he claims to be vulgar, insatiable, and brutal. At in the first place, Macduff graciously can 't help contradicting his future ruler, however in the end Macduff can 't keep himself from shouting out, "O Scotland, Scotland!" (4.3.101).

    Read More

  • Courage In Macbeth

    431 Words  | 2 Pages

    When Macduff arrives in England to ask Malcolm for assistance on war with Macbeth, Malcolm explains, “What [he] believe, [he’ll] wail; What know, believe, and what [he] can redress, As [he] shall find the time to friend [he] will” (Shakespeare 4.3.10-12). Malcolm expressed his passion for his country and his ability to stay true to what he believes in. This conducts the first sign of courage established by Malcolm in the entire play; testing Macduff’s loyalty to gain knowledge on his true intentions. Malcolm does not follow in his father’s footsteps to prevent the same fate upon him, revealing a new virtuous side of the character. This quote proves he will do anything to right what is wrong in the kingdom, which indicates not only character development but bravery as well, especially when he joins his army to fight against Macbeth in war.

    Read More

  • Character Change In Macbeth

    922 Words  | 4 Pages

    Macduff awaits him after what seemed to be an extremely long period of time. Once again Macbeth says, “Thou losest labor. As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air with thy keen sword impress as make me bleed... which must not yield to one of woman born.” Macduff in turn replies that he was not born naturally from him mother, that he was taken from her womb before she could give birth. It was then that Macbeth knew his fate; he would die at the hand of Macduff.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Macbeth And Macduff

    427 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the play The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macduff proves to be the true hero. Macduff proves to be the true hero of the play for being loyal to his country and killing Macbeth. Macbeth and Macduff differ because Macbeth is conceded and a killer, while Macduff is not. Macduff, the Thane of Fife, proves to be a loyal man when it comes to his country and his people. For example, Macduff deserts his family in order to go to England to meet with Malcolm and the king of England, so all three of them can go back to Scotland to defeat Macbeth for once and all.

    Read More

  • Power And Corruption In Macbeth

    931 Words  | 4 Pages

    William Shakespeare, playwright of Macbeth, shows the importance that power and corruption can hold on a person’s humanity. In order to prove the true effect of personal gains, he uses the main character, Macbeth, to show how evil people are willing to become. Personal power has the ability to be essential to greatness, but at the same time is able to destroy a person’s true nature. Believe it or not, Macbeth once was a man of honor. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth was loyal to King Duncan, a strong military leader, and a respected husband.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Macbeth And Lady Macduff

    450 Words  | 2 Pages

    Whereas, Lady Macduff encouraged her family to be loyal to King Duncan and to his sons, the rightful rulers of Scotland. Lady Macduff is a strong and a loving mother. After her conversation with Ross, in which he tells her that Macduff has fled the country, we see her close relationship with her son when she tells him; because she is furious that Macduff has left them alone, that his father is dead. Even though she doesn’t believe her husband is a traitor. We see her devotion to Macduff when asked by the murders where he is she replies; “I hope, in place so unsanctified, Where such as thou may’st find him.”

    Read More

  • Lady Macbeth's Loyalty Analysis

    624 Words  | 3 Pages

    Understanding Lady Macbeth Would you do anything to be loyal? William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is about a husband and wife who force their way to the crown but suffer in the aftermath of their actions. Lady Macbeth is not a monster.

    Read More

  • Morality And Morality In Macbeth

    1083 Words  | 5 Pages

    In general, Shakespeare emphasizes that ambition for power and wealth can invalidate morality in human nature. Victory has sworn upon Macbeth and Banquo after the defeat of the king 's traitor Macdonwald. Shortly in the midst of returning home Banquo and Macbeth halt when three suspicious ladies came into view. One by one they told Macbeth his upcoming abundance of power.

    Read More

More about Honor And Loyalty In Macbeth

Open Document