ipl-logo

Loyalty And Betrayal In Macbeth

672 Words3 Pages

Loyalty and betrayal are two conflicting characters, yet they find a way to bring out one another. A person cannot represent one quality without showing the other; to show complete loyalty, one must betray another in a way. Whether out of good or evil intentions, a person will show an act of loyalty, which will end in betrayal. In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, loyalty and betrayal are displayed in the play. Throughout the play, many characters betray what is most crucial to them and in the end happen to lose it all. Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm and Banquo learn that all loyalty comes with a worthy price.
In this scene in Act 4.3, we will witness an exchange between Malcolm and Macduff, near King Edwards place in England. Malcolm and Macduff …show more content…

Malcolm is honest with Macduff and informs him that he may be trustworthy but Malcolm himself must tread very lightly in these dark times. Malcolm begins his testing of Macduff’s loyalty by acting that he would not be fit to be King and would actually be worse than Macbeth. The purpose here is to see if Macduff really has Scotland’s welfare as his top concern. Malcolm states "But there's no bottom, none, in my voluptuousness." (4.3 60-61)
"I should cut off the nobles for their lands,
"Desire his jewels, and this other's house." (4.3 79-80)
"Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude-
I have no relish of them," (4.3 94-95)
Seeing Macduff’s horror at the thought of such a disgusting character as king, Malcolm tells Macduff he was testing him and that he is a pure and Malcolm shows Macduff that he has qualities to be king "I am yet
Unknown to woman, never was forsworn,
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own,
At no time broke my faith," (4.3 125-128)
When Malcolm becomes king he is going to name all this kinsmen and thanes, earls, the first ones in Scotland. Also, he will call back all the people that fled under Macbeth reign as king. Malcolm will also change all the evil ministers that Macbeth had, Malcolm will be a strong and honest king, the king Scotland was waiting

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Malcolm's Second Trial In Macbeth

    759 Words  | 4 Pages

    This leads him to raise an army,and go fight Macbeth. Malcolm may have committed treason and abandoned the throne in a time of need, many people may view this as treason, and yes it was, but, this does not make him a bad person. He chose life over death at the expense that he would have to leave the throne so that he could be safe. This is treason against the throne because he fled to England but, if you were Malcolm and knew whatever he knew at the time would you have stayed. Malcolm showed courage returning to Scotland even though he could be potentially killed at any time with the intentions to retake what was formerly supposed to be his.

    Read More

  • Macbeth And Malcolm's Influence On Scotland

    796 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although many believe Malcom will not fix the mess made by Macbeth in the castle, Malcolm 's great actions and words displayed himself as a great leader, suited to be king. Malcolm’s first actions to help further the kingdom of Scotland appears in the middle of the story. Malcolm’s actions displaying great leadership is shown when King Duncan dies. His words to his brother shows how warlike intelligence he is “What will you do?

    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

  • Betrayal In Macbeth Greed Quotes

    426 Words  | 2 Pages

    Greed and jealousy live inside everyone, but one must refrain from these thoughts to prevent self destruction. In William Shakespeare's Elizabethan era Tragedy Macbeth, Shakespeare uses betrayal as a vehicle for obtaining power for selfish means, and illustrates the grave costs of betrayal to the individual. Greed often fuels an uncontrolled lust for power. Shakespeare reveals the extent of Macbeth’s greed when Macbeth's first thought regarding the witches prophecy stir thoughts of murder: “ My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical”(I.iii.152). Most individuals do not think one should murder someone to obtain what you desire.

    Read More

  • What Role Does Power Guilt Play In Macbeth

    810 Words  | 4 Pages

    He hallucinates Banquo in the chair he was going to sit on. Macbeth starts to act crazy and Lady Macbeth tries to tell the other men in the room how he is acting is normal. After the dinner Macbeth hears that Macduff went to England to reunite with Malcolm, Duncan 's son, to try for him to own the throne. Macbeth decides to take action and send some men to murder Macduff 's family. When Macduff comes back he finds out of his family 's death and joins Malcolm and his army to defeat Macbeth.

    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

  • Macbeth's Greed Analysis

    1113 Words  | 5 Pages

    Macbeth is a tyrant during his rule, manipulating the minds of the people and using murders to clear out anyone that stood in his way, so that he can stay in power. Malcolm worries about the state of Scotland as he exclaims, “I think our country sinks beneath the yoke./ It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds. I think withal…” (Shakespeare 4.3.49-51). Malcolm notices the true state of Scotland under the rule of Macbeth, as he has forcefully gained his

    Read More

  • Malcolm's Motivation In Macbeth

    646 Words  | 3 Pages

    The motivation for Malcolm to become king is proven when he leaves to save his life and gain the support of the king of England, which will bring him closer to overthrowing Macbeth, and gaining the throne. Likewise, Malcolm`s ambition to become king is seen when he convinces Macduff to get revenge in Macbeth for killing his family. Malcolm is so overcome by his desire and goal, that he encourages Macduff to take ``great revenge/ [and t]o cure the deadly grief`(4.iii.253-254) of losing his family. One can clearly interpret that although Macbeth and Macduff are just recently informed of the killing of Macduff`s family, Malcolm is once again filled with motivation to overthrow Macbeth, instead of grieve for theA man`s ambition and desire influence his decisions in life. This is seen when Malcolm’s motivation in the play Macbeth by Shakespeare is his desire to be crowned king to get back his father’s throne.

    Read More

  • Trust In Macbeth

    887 Words  | 4 Pages

    My first false speaking/Was this upon myself. What I am truly,/ Is thine and my poor country’s to command./ Whither indeed, before thy here-approach,/ Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men” (4.3.132-136). This, of course, shows that Malcolm was a good and noble man in which no one truly needed to doubt. Even in this situation though, Malcolm was wary of Macduff. Being suspicious actually helped both Malcolm and Macduff into seeing the clearer picture.

    Read More

  • Integrity And Responsibility In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    661 Words  | 3 Pages

    Integrity can be defined as being honest and having strong morals. Being able to balance one’s own integrity and professional responsibility is what determines how successful they will be. If someone’s personal integrity and professional responsibility aren’t balanced, they will interfere with or hinder the other. Ultimately, a person is successful if they can balance their personal integrity and professional responsibility.

    Read More

  • How Does Shakespeare Use Deception In Macbeth

    839 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Weapon of Deception (analysis of the use of deception in Acts 1 and 2 of Macbeth) The use of deception is very prevalent throughout the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare. Deception is the act of deceiving. You can compare it to fraud or a scam.

    Read More

  • Honor And Loyalty In Macbeth

    672 Words  | 3 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.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Macbeth And Lady Macduff

    450 Words  | 2 Pages

    To compare and contrast the roles of Lady Macbeth in the play, giving close consideration to their relationship their husbands. In the play ‘Macbeth’ we notice that the roles of Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff are very different. The contrast between these two ladies, is especially noted by each woman’s loyalties and manner of death. These two women, as similar as they were, also had dissimilarities that are far more striking.   Although Lady Macduff and Lady Macbeth each had the ability to influence their family, they used this influence in entirely different ways.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Betrayal In Macbeth

    714 Words  | 3 Pages

    In act two the flaw of betrayal continues when Macbeth decides to kill duncan and take his spots as king of Scotland. Macbeth and lady Macbeth make this plan up to kill the king were she would signal Macbeth by ringing s bell when the king has fell asleep Macbeth hears the bell and says “Duncan; for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.” This means he is on the way to kill Duncan to fulfill his prophecy. After Macbeth does the deed he doesn 't feel like he is

    Read More

  • Self Fulfilling Prophecies In Macbeth

    1590 Words  | 7 Pages

    During this time he goes through an internal conflict with himself. He argues with himself over whether or not to trust the prophecy and three witches, “This supernatural soliciting/Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill,/Why hath it given me earnest of success” (1.3.243-245). Unfortunately for Macbeth the King’s son Malcolm is to named the predecessor of King Duncan. Macbeth recognizes that this means the prophecy cannot come true despite the Thane of Cawdor prediction becoming a reality. This displeases him greatly despite the fact that the king has bestowed upon him a great honor.

    Read More

More about Loyalty And Betrayal In Macbeth

Open Document