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Examples Of Loyalty In Macbeth

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During the the Middle Ages and Renaissance loyalty played a huge role in everyday life. Men were expected to show loyalty to their king, their fellow soldiers, and to their country. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, loyalty plays an important role. Macbeth,Malcolm, and Macduff are all examples of loyalty in Macbeth.
The first example of loyalty is Macbeth. In Act I, the reader is introduced to Macbeth, a loyal Scottish soldier for King Duncan. Ironically, Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor because of the previous Thane’s betrayal. After Macbeth finds out he has the chance to be king he disregards his loyalty for his own selfish needs. Before Macbeth kills King Duncan he realizes what he is going to do is wrong. “Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires” (Shakespeare I. iiii. 52-54). Macbeth says this right before he kills King Duncan. Macbeth asks for darkness, which represents evil, because he knows what he is about to do is morally wrong. Even though Macbeth shows loyalty to his king at the beginning, it is ultimately overshadowed by his betrayal of …show more content…

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 / Was this upon myself. What I am truly, / Is thine and my poor country’s to command” (Shakespeare IV. iii. 133-135). Malcolm proves his loyalty to his country by lying to Macduff and saying he had all these horrible vices. Malcolm’s willingness to make himself look bad in order to protect his country, proves his loyalty. In the end Malcolm plays a crucial role in protecting his country from the wickedness of

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