Even though Macbeth shows loyalty to his king at the beginning, it is ultimately overshadowed by his betrayal of
Macbeth had ambition to become king of Scotland, but this did not turn out positive for him. Duncan macbeth's first cousin became King instead, and Macbeth was one of his thanes. Macbeth knew that King Duncan was a good person and king. He has been doing everything right for Scotland. Macbeth had this
With his agreement to murder the king, we now see that Macbeth can no longer be trusted, and once again Duncan puts his trust in the wrong person. Trusting Macbeth is a huge mistake and will be his last—"I have done the deed" (2.2.19). Now that Duncan is out of the picture, Macbeth can fulfill the prophecy of him becoming king. Reflecting on how Macbeth is not someone to be trusted, he uses trust to his advantage, and Macbeth shows this in his need for power. The guilt he carries after all the betrayal—I understand and feel that kind of guilt when I break someone's
He then tries to find reason to kill Duncan besides his own ambitions for power and cannot find any reason as he says that he is Duncan’s kinsman and should “shut the door [on the murderer], / Not bear the knife myself.” (Shakespeare 288). He also brings up the point that Duncan is a benevolent king ant that “tears shall drown the wind.” (Shakespeare 288) if King Duncan dies. This passage shows Macbeth’s ego as id and superego, which, in this case, are ambition for power and civility respectively, is at play and influencing his upcoming actions, along with Lady Macbeth’s
He prioritizes his values before his loyalty to the king. In scene I, act vii, Macbeth hinders on why he shouldn’t murder King Duncan. His reasons are: “First, as i am his kinsman and his subject,/ Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,/ Who should against his murderer shut the door,/ Not bear the knife myself” (I.vii.13-16). Macbeth believes he should be protecting the king instead of wishing he was dead in order to take the throne from beneath him. He struggles with the choice and is arguing with himself.
His lauding of Macbeth contrasted with expressed inconvenience at Lady Macbeth’s hospitality later that same act put Macbeth on a pedestal of his own (I.vii.11). Macbeth’s relationship with the king surpasses kinsmen to a level of absolute trust when Duncan shares with them that “Sons, kinsmen, thanes, / And [those] whose places are the nearest” must uphold Malcolm as the heir of Scotland (I.iv.36-37). Interwoven in the affairs of the kingdom, Macbeth stands well above common plebs. Additionally, Macbeth’s kind nature automatically dismisses thoughts of foul play for the crown.
Macbeth, in his position as ruler, is unable to gain the and secure the trust of those around him in other positions of power. This results in Macbeth having a lack of allies. This is mainly due to how he had gained the throne and the suspicion others of status held against him. As well as the fact that Macbeth never reassured anyone that he wasn’t the killer. Duncan on the other hand had people who trusted him and were also loyal and faithful to him.
Macbeth was easily influenced by the witches' prophecies and became greedy for more information. This scene was the first hint showing Macbeth had weak willpower and would try to find out if what the witches said was true. A person dominated by greed will often ignore sense of reason and the harm of their actions and further disregard their other needs; so don't succumb to greed; it will only make your life worse like it did to Macbeth. Another point to consider is shortly after he was awarded part of the prophecy he turned and went for the biggest prize of them all: king. Macbeth, in a state of greed and influence, killed King Duncan under the order of his wife, Lady Machbeth; as revealed in act 2, scene 2, page 3, “I can’t go back.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth, the main character Macbeth learns that he will become King. When he realised he could be the leader, the power he desperately craves motivates him to alter his character. “Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done.” (2.4.6-14)
Namely, Duncan’s likeability among his subjects projects an image that he is a great king, causing his subjects to generally revere him for his humbleness, lack of corruption, and how he treats everybody. Macbeth is no exception and initially admires Duncan for the same reasons as many people do: “Besides this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels…” (I.7.16-20). Macbeth thus illustrates the perspective that many of Duncan’s subjects have wanted him to remain their leader, finding him effective because of his personal traits like his likeability, humility, and straight-forwardness. Nonetheless, Duncan is not a perfect leader, for he is unable to prevent his kingdom from experiencing civil war and ward off threats from other kingdoms.
However, when she begins to tell Macbeth her ideas he attempts to be steadfast in his loyalty to King Duncan. Macbeth states that “We will proceed no further in this business:/he hath honoured me of late;” (1.7.507-508). Macbeth’s only issue with murdering King Duncan is that he just got honored by him and that would be rude. Again it does not take much time for Macbeth’s ambition to take control due to his wife stating how much more of a man he could be if he just went through with it. Despite these influences Macbeth is in control of his own actions.
In act 1 scene 7 Macbeth said “ Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off “ .(4). Macbeth admits that Duncan's done a good job being king, but Macbeth wanted that top stop. No matter how great that person is, if they have something that we want we will not them down to get it
When the play opens it is instantly visible to the reader that Macbeth is faithful and loyal to the king. After Macbeth listens to the witches prophecy of him becoming the king, he is indecisive on either breaking rules to eliminate Duncan or if chance will have him king why chance may “crown” him (I.iii.144-145). His thoughts lead him to be loyal to the king and let fate decide who will be the next king. Later in the play, Macbeth is thinking about killing Duncan to become king himself, but faithful thoughts cross his mind. He says to himself, “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject...who should against his murderer shut the door” (I. vii.
But this didn’t happen on its own; things that affected his character were his power and confidence in front of others, how his relations to the witches increased, and his insufficient restraint in evil activities. There are many sides to this powerful drama, including different sides to just one character. This essay could be written about nearly any of the roles in the play and would still be just as layered with many different examples. Macbeth is a play with an incredible example of character development, and how those things change; therefore it creates an interesting story which makes a reader
King Duncan saw Macbeth as a loyal and noble kinsman. These are the first words that the King says when he sees Macbeth, “My worthiest kinsman!” (Act 1 Scene 4). The two interact as close friends Macbeth thinks very highly of King Duncan and states, “The opportunity to serve you is its own reward,” (Act 1 Scene 4). After the King offers to repay him for winning the battle.
