Honor And Punishment In Macbeth

Who can be wise, loyal, dishonorable, furious and amazed at the same time? Macbeth is an infamous drama written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare portrayed the story of a once loyal nobleman, who betrays the kingdom of Scotland. He becomes consumed by power and descends down a road of destruction. Honor vs. Disloyalty is a general theme depicted throughout the play. Shakespeare enhanced the theme of Honor vs. Disloyalty, by describing situations involving insinuations of desires, morally based internal conflicts and physical actions produced by the characters. At first, Macbeth was tempted by three witches. The three witches planted dark seeds that threaded into Macbeth’s mind. These dark seeds led Macbeth to ponder of malicious
Several of Macbeth’s internal conflicts were based on the principle of morals. His thoughts presented a sense of nobility and honor, but were conflicted by his desire to reign as king. When assembling the plot to kill Duncan, Macbeth debates on whether he should commit the treacherous act or not. He states that “First I am his kinsman, and his subject, strong against both the deed” (Act I, scn vii, ln-13&14). Macbeth evidently is facing a conflict against himself. This piece of evidence clearly exemplifies the theme of Honor vs. Disloyalty. Furthermore, his internal conflicts continue when he deliberates the assassination of Banquo. Macbeth referring to Banquo, states that “Whose being I do fear: and under him my genius is rebuked” (Act III scene I, ln-55&56). Macbeth was ostensibly scared of Banquo’s knowledge and feared he may be threat. This internal conflict caused him to make reckless decisions and kill his friend and comrade. Macbeth has now reprimanded his honor and betrayed his own. The internal conflicts throughout Macbeth visualized disorder and confusion, moreover, proving that they contributed to the theme of Honor vs.
Disloyalty. Multiple actions of betrayal, murder and treason supplemented the idea that certain characters had the ability to turn from morals and reason. Macbeth clearly lost all sense of reason and reversed all thoughts of honorability. He states that “Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o’ the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him to his line” (Act IV, scene I, Ln-150-152). Macbeth’s actions surge up his tyranny, causing others to be disloyal to him. Two main characters who betrayed Macbeth, were Malcolm and Macduff. They stayed loyal to the kingdom of Scotland, but sought after revolution and retribution against Macbeth. Macbeth’s tyranny was so immense that other servants and knights would not stay loyal if a final battle came about. This is quite evident after Malcolm states “Both more and less have given him the revolt, and none serve with him but constrained things whose hearts are absent too” (Act V, scene iv, ln-11,12, &13). Therefore, the loyalty of his warriors dissipated and the battle was easily conquered. Almost all of the actions performed by the characters contributed to the theme of Honor vs.