MacBeth Act 1 Response

Examples and importance of the role of Loyalty:

Scene 2

It’s at this point King Duncan learns about Macbeth’s brave fighting and heroic effort. Duncan also hears from his lords Ross and Angus that another thane has turned sides and become a traitor. 


- Loyalty is a means of attaining our ambition, it gives us the ability to reside under another's power, however if we trust in our loyalties to much they can be our downfall; the root of all loyalties is power, that power isn't always in our favour even if we are the source of it.

Scene 3

While Banquo and Macbeth are returning home they run into the weird sisters. The three witches tell Macbeth three different fortunes. First that he will be king of Glamis, secondly King of Cawdor and lastly king hereafter. They also tell Banquo that he will be a father to a line of kings. The witches words have a tremendous affect on Macbeth and he imagines the terrible thought of killing the king. It is from this very point that Macbeth’s Mental Battle and struggles begin. 


- Loyalty to religion or belief is the basis of our lifestyles, these loyalties don't necessarily bring us direct power but do act as a guide for our ambitions/quests for power. Unfortunately the beliefs we are loyal to don't always suit our purposes, which brings inner conflict.

Scene 4

In this scene King Duncan thanks Banquo and Macbeth for there heroic efforts and loyalty, and announces that he has decided to award his son Malcolm to the thrown after him. This makes Macbeth upset and sees it as another obstacle in his path to becoming King of Scotland. 


- Breaking a loyalty is often the heart of conflict (e.g. WW1 the loyalty we pay to the value of life was broken and caused a global uproar) and when interpreted as betrayal can lead to a loss of power.

Scene 5

 When news arrives to Lady Macbeth that Duncan is coming to the castle she calls upon evil spirits make her cruel and take away her womanly compassion. The theme of deceptive appearance also plays an important role in this scene. 


Loyalties can be misguided, those we trust can use them against us.

Scene 7

The scene starts off with Macbeth churning over the idea of killing Duncan . He realizes it’s a terrible sin but he really wants to be King. During all of this, Lady Macbeth enters the room and convinces him to follow through and kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth about his fear and says that he’s not a man. The two of them concoct a plan to get Duncan’s bodyguards drunk then proceed to kill Duncan and make it look like it was the drunken guards.


- In summary what we are loyal to defines the lifestyles we will live. MacBeth's loyalty to his quest of power and the love of this wife lead him to murder Duncan, but only after he feels Duncan is no longer loyal to his own quest. Loyalty is the root of power because it drives ambition but it isn't always a negativity or weakness. Acknowledging our loyalties can prevent inner struggles and often clear a path for our lives, we see this when MacBeth chose the path of ruling Glamis.