betrayal Flashcards
overview
Betrayal is a central theme in Macbeth, driving the plot and leading to the downfall of key characters. Macbeth’s betrayal of King Duncan disrupts the natural order, setting off a chain of violence and paranoia. His betrayal of Lady Macbeth leads to isolation, showing how ambition destroys personal relationships. As Macbeth becomes more ruthless, he is in turn betrayed by his allies, highlighting how treachery breeds further betrayal. Ultimately, Macbeth’s greatest betrayal is of himself—he loses his honor, morality, and purpose, realizing too late that his ambition has led to his own destruction. Shakespeare warns that betrayal may bring power temporarily, but it always leads to downfall.
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
This line, spoken by the three witches at the very beginning of the play, is a key example of how Shakespeare introduces the theme of betrayal through the idea that nothing is as it seems. The witches set the tone for the entire play with this paradox. On the surface, “fair” and “foul” are opposites—good vs. bad—but the witches twist this idea, showing that what appears to be good (fair) can actually be bad (foul), and vice versa. In the context of Macbeth, this reflects the way Macbeth’s outward loyalty to King Duncan will be betrayed by his inner desire for power.
The witches themselves are agents of deception—they manipulate truth and reality, showing how easily one can be deceived. The idea of things not being what they seem is repeated throughout the play, particularly when Macbeth is praised as a hero for defeating the traitor Macdonwald, even as he secretly plans to betray the very king who trusted him. The witches’ chant is an early sign that betrayal will be a recurring theme, and that appearances are unreliable. Macbeth himself will later echo this idea when he reflects on the false appearance of loyalty that he must maintain in order to carry out his treacherous acts.
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t
In Macbeth, the quote “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (Act 1, Scene 5) shows the theme of betrayal through Lady Macbeth’s advice to her husband. Here, she tells Macbeth to appear kind and harmless on the outside, but to hide his true, malicious intentions underneath. The “innocent flower” represents something pure and harmless, while the “serpent” refers to something dangerous and evil, which connects to the idea of betrayal. The metaphor of the flower and serpent is really important because it shows how Macbeth is being encouraged to deceive everyone around him, especially King Duncan, by pretending to be loyal when he is actually plotting betrayal. The serpent is a symbol of evil, often linked to the devil in literature, which emphasizes how Macbeth is about to commit a morally corrupt action. Lady Macbeth is pushing her husband to betray Duncan and his own sense of honour by putting on a fake “innocent” appearance. The use of imagery in this quote highlights the theme of betrayal because it shows that Macbeth must hide his true intentions in order to deceive others. The contrast between the “flower” and the “serpent” illustrates how Macbeth has to act in a way that makes him seem trustworthy, even though he’s planning something horrific. This moment really sets the stage for the play’s exploration of deception, where appearances don’t always match reality, and betrayal becomes a key part of Macbeth’s tragic downfall.
“Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep”
In the quote “Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep” (Act 3, Scene 1), Macbeth is admitting that his fear of Banquo is intense and hard to shake off. The phrase “stick deep” suggests that his fear is not just temporary, but something that has settled inside him and is hard to get rid of. This shows Macbeth’s growing paranoia and insecurity now that he has the throne. He fears that Banquo’s descendants will eventually take his crown, as the witches prophesied. The verb “fears” is important because it reveals that Macbeth is not just worried, but genuinely terrified, which pushes him to commit further acts of betrayal, like planning Banquo’s murder.
This quote also highlights the theme of paranoia in the play. Macbeth’s fear is so deep that it consumes him, causing him to betray a friend he once trusted. By using the noun “stick,” the playwright shows how Macbeth’s guilt and fear are inescapable, which leads to his mental unraveling. His obsession with Banquo’s threat drives him to commit even more treacherous actions to protect his power.
“the most disloyal traitor in the world.”
In Act 3, Scene 6 of Macbeth, Lennox sarcastically calls Macbeth “the most disloyal traitor in the world.” This quote is important because it shows how people are starting to realize that Macbeth has betrayed everyone around him. The word “disloyal” emphasizes how Macbeth has gone against the trust that others placed in him, first by killing King Duncan and then by turning against Banquo. The word “traitor” suggests someone who betrays their own side, showing that Macbeth has abandoned his morals and his duty as a king.
The theme of betrayal is clear here because Macbeth is no longer just betraying individuals—his actions are affecting all of Scotland. Lennox’s sarcasm also shows that people are starting to turn against Macbeth, hinting at his downfall later in the play. This moment proves that betrayal leads to consequences, as Macbeth is losing the trust of his people, just as he once betrayed Duncan’s trust
“And be these juggling fiends no more believed, That palter with us in a double sense
“And be these juggling fiends no more believed, That palter with us in a double sense” (Act 5, Scene 8)
In this moment, Macbeth realizes he has been betrayed by the witches, who manipulated him with their deceptive prophecies. The phrase “juggling fiends” is significant because “juggling” suggests trickery, instability, and deceit, as if the witches have been toying with him like an object rather than treating him as a person with free will. The noun “fiends” emphasizes their evil nature, reinforcing the idea that Macbeth has placed his trust in supernatural forces that have ultimately led to his downfall.
The phrase “palter with us in a double sense” reveals how the witches used ambiguous language to mislead Macbeth. The word “palter” suggests deceitful or half-truthful speech, showing that the witches never directly lied but twisted their words to manipulate him. This links to the theme of betrayal because Macbeth trusted them, believing he was invincible, only to realize too late that they had set him up for failure. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony here, as the audience has always known that the witches were untrustworthy, making Macbeth’s downfall more tragic. His realization also reflects Shakespeare’s warning about unchecked ambition—Macbeth was so desperate for power that he ignored the obvious dangers of trusting such figures.
“I will not yield, To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet”
This line highlights Macbeth’s stubborn pride, even when he knows he has lost. The phrase “I will not yield” is a direct refusal to accept defeat, showing how Macbeth clings to his authority despite being abandoned and betrayed by those around him. The imagery of “kissing the ground” is particularly powerful, as it symbolizes complete submission and humiliation. Macbeth refuses to lower himself before Malcolm, who represents rightful kingship and order, reinforcing the idea that Macbeth is unwilling to face the consequences of his betrayal. This moment also reflects irony—Macbeth, who once betrayed King Duncan to take the throne, now faces betrayal himself. His own thanes have deserted him, and even his false sense of security, built on the witches’ words, has crumbled. Shakespeare may be suggesting that betrayal is cyclical; Macbeth’s ambition led him to betray others, and in the end, he is left isolated, betrayed by fate and those he once relied on. His refusal to surrender can be seen as both tragic and pathetic—on one hand, he maintains some dignity as a warrior, but on the other, he remains delusional, unwilling to acknowledge that he has brought this downfall upon himself. Through this final act of defiance, Shakespeare highlights the ultimate consequences of treachery and unchecked ambition: Macbeth, once a respected nobleman, has lost everything—his allies, his power, and even his own sense of control. This serves as a warning to the audience about the dangers of betrayal, showing how it leads not to power, but to self-destruction
conclusion
Shakespeare portrays betrayal as a self-destructive cycle that leads to downfall. Macbeth’s betrayal of Duncan for power sets off a chain of treachery, ultimately turning against him. He is deceived by the witches, abandoned by his allies, and trapped by his own ambition. In the end, betrayal leads not to greatness, but to isolation and death. Shakespeare warns that those who betray others will face betrayal themselves, showing that loyalty is necessary for true stability and success.
