macbeth theme: loyalty and betrayal Flashcards
loyalty is rewarded but betrayal is punished
duncan has the old thane of cawdor executed for betraying him and rewards macbeth with the title for his loyalty
the play has a circular structure and ends with macbeth being killed for betraying scotland
machbeth betrays his own sense of right and wrong which eventually leads to a loss of self worth and his death
betrayal is linked to power as it can be given and taken away depending on a persons loyalty
macduffs loyalty to scotland leads to the betrayal of his family
macbeth pretends to be loyal
he is initially loyal to duncan and therefore it is more shocking when he puts his own desires before his loyalty to the king
lady macbeth fakes an appearance of loyalty to duncan when she tells him “your servants ever” even though they are plotting his death
shakespeare juxtaposes lady macbeth plotting to kill duncan with her welcoming him into the castle which develops he character and makes her murderous intentions more dramatic
