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Macbeth - Loyalty and Betrayal (Loyalty is rewarded, betrayal is punished.…
Macbeth - Loyalty and Betrayal
Characters show loyalty through their actions
When characters betray their loyalty, it's usually to pursue their own selfish desires.
The characters in "Macbeth" show loyalty to different things:
King
The thanes are loyal to Duncan because he's been a "great" king. Macbeth gives Duncan "service and loyalty" by fighting for him in act 1.
Beliefs
Banquo is loyal to his own sense of honour - he says that he will keep his "allegiance clear". He won't let ambition or the Witches' prophecies affect him.
Country
Macduff is loyal to Scotland. He chooses to go to England to ask Malcolm to defend his country instead of protecting his family. He'd rather leave Scotland than see it ruled by a bad King.
There is a difference between characters who say that they are loyal (like Macbeth, who talks about "loyalty" he owes to Duncan even when he is plotting to kill him) and characters whose actions show loyalty (like Macduff).
Loyalty is rewarded, betrayal is punished...
Macbeth betrays his own sense of right and wrong. This eventually leads to his loss of self-worth and his death.
Betrayal is often linked to power. Power (in the form of titles) can be given or taken away depending on a persons loyalty.
Duncan has the old thane of Cawdor executed for betraying him and rewards Macbeth's loyalty by giving him the title. The play has a circular structure - it ends up with Macbeth being killed for betraying Scotland and Malcolm rewarding the thanks' loyalty.
Loyalty and betrayal often go hand in hand, e.g. Macduff's loyalty to Scotland leads his to betray his family.
The Macbeths pretend to be loyal
Shakespeare juxtaposes Lady Macbeth's plotting to kill Duncan with her welcoming him into their castle. This develops her character and makes her murderous intentions more dramatic.
Theme - Reality and Appearances
Lady Macbeth's 2-faced nature helps her to betray Duncan - he trusts her as a "Fair and noble hostess" and doesn't see her lust for power.
Lady Macbeth fakes an appearance of loyalty. She tells Duncan that she and Macbeth are "Your servants ever", even though they are plotting his murder. It shows how easily she can pretend to be loyal.
Macbeth is initially loyal to Duncan as "his kinsman and his subject" - this makes it even more shocking when he puts his own desires ahead of his loyalty to the King.