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Honor And Certainty In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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In Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," the theme of honour and certainty is explored through the struggles of the characters to maintain their sense of self-worth and find a sense of security in a world that is constantly changing. Macbeth's struggle to restore his honour, Lady Macbeth's attempt to rid herself of guilt, and Banquo's fight to maintain his integrity are all examples of the importance of honour and integrity in the face of adversity. Macbeth, the play's protagonist, initially enjoys a high level of honour and respect as a brave warrior and loyal subject to King Duncan. However, his ambition leads him down a dark path, and he becomes consumed by his desire for power. In his attempt to become king, Macbeth murders King Duncan and others, which compromises his honour. His struggle to restore his honour and overcome his guilt ultimately leads to his downfall. Macbeth's attempts to maintain his power and position as king by …show more content…

Her ambition and desire for power drive her to persuade Macbeth to commit regicide. Lady Macbeth's attempts to rid herself of guilt are evident in her constant hand-washing and attempts to dissociate herself from the murders. However, her guilt becomes too much to bear, and she ultimately takes her own life. Lady Macbeth's struggle highlights the consequences of unchecked ambition and the importance of maintaining one's honour and integrity. Banquo is a foil to Macbeth, as he maintains his integrity and honour throughout the play. Despite his ambition for his own descendants to become kings, Banquo does not act on it, and instead remains loyal to King Duncan and his successors. This loyalty ultimately leads to Banquo's death at the hands of Macbeth, but his integrity remains intact. Banquo's struggle to maintain his honour and integrity highlights the importance of staying true to one's values and principles, even in the face of

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