Have you ever betrayed someone, or something who did nothing but believe in you? Have you ever been so loyal to a cause that nothing else mattered? The Oxford dictionary defines loyalty as giving or showing firm and constant allegiance to a person/institution. In the Medieval era (when Macbeth took place) the loyalty of a person described their honor, integrity and worth in the eyes of others. True loyalty to the crown was never taken lightly, it was found only in the most valiant and bold. Loyalty between the king and his people is a significant theme found when analyzing William Shakespeare’s classical tragedy, Macbeth. As the once beloved kingdom of Scotland is snatched into the hands of a tyrant and crumbles, many characters were left with the same question: who do you stand by, your king? Or your beliefs? As the unique characters develop over time they demonstrate the theme of loyalty in the most dramatic …show more content…
Every character in the play reacts to loyalty differently. It is their choice of whom to stand by, and whom to betray. In the end their choices affect them, their friends and the entire plot. Loyalty was displayed in Duncan, the man who trusts all, Macduff, the man willing to sacrifice all for the benefit of most and Macbeth, the man whose loyalty to himself surpasses all others. Though it is arguable whether where their loyalties lie made them a protagonist or antagonist, loyalty is loyalty and betrayal is betrayal. It only depends what and whose side you're on. The fact is, it doesn’t matter who you are, if someone is truly loyal to a cause they will destroy anything in their way. It does not matter if you're the king, where there is loyalty, weapons are of no use. You could have all the money, soldiers and enforcement in the world, but nothing is stronger than true loyalty, both king’s Duncan and Macbeth learned the hard