loyalty Flashcards
(19 cards)
introduction:
In Shakespeare’s tragedy, loyalty is a central theme that underscores the moral and political conflicts within the play. It is presented in different forms: as an allegiance, deceptive yet ultimately only conditional. Through Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, Shakespeare explores how ambition (their hubris) distorts loyalty, whilst other characters like Banquo and Macduff represent unwavering loyalty.
3x key ideas
- Macbeth’s loyalty is presented as fragile and contingent upon personal gain
- contrasts with Banquo and Macduff- unwavering loyalty
- consequence of their disloyalty LM
topic sentence for paragraph 1 (Macbeth loyalty):
Firstly, Macbeth’s loyalty is presented as fragile and contingent upon personal gain, only realising this once he has…
quotes to use for paragraph 1
“stepped in so far” “wade” “blood”
“tomorrow” “petty pace”
“a tale told by an idiot…signifying nothing”
analyse “stepped in so far” “wade” “blood”
Firstly, Macbeth’s loyalty is presented as fragile and contingent upon personal gain, only realising this once he has “stepped in so far” that he is at the point of no return. Previously, the motif of “blood” (the consequence of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being. The fact that he used the metaphor of “wading” in this “blood” exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is permanently stained with guilt as a result of his disloyalty, and there is nothing he can do to change that. The verb “wade” implies imagery of struggling through deep waters, further suggesting that this guilt from his illegitimate power has engulfed him entirely.
analyse “tomorrow” “petty pace” “a tale told by an idiot…signifying nothing”
Later in Act 5, he has achieved everything he wanted, yet his ambition for power has left him empty; life now feels meaningless. The repetition of “tomorrow” creates a tone of despair, highlighting how his disloyalty has given him nothing but suffering at a “petty pace”. This could be considered his peripeteia (where he realises that his ambition for power has ultimately led to his downfall), and that life is futile: “a tale told by an idiot… signifying nothing”. This reveals that Macbeth’s loyalty was never absolute- he offered allegiance only when it served his ambitions.
paragraph 1 analysis (Macbeth loyalty):
Firstly, Macbeth’s loyalty is presented as fragile and contingent upon personal gain, only realising this once he has “stepped in so far” that he is at the point of no return. Previously, the motif of “blood” (the consequence of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being. The fact that he used the metaphor of “wading” in this “blood” exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is permanently stained with guilt as a result of his disloyalty, and there is nothing he can do to change that. The verb “wade” implies imagery of struggling through deep waters, further suggesting that this guilt from his illegitimate power has engulfed him entirely. Later in Act 5, he has achieved everything he wanted, yet his ambition for power has left him empty; life now feels meaningless. The repetition of “tomorrow” creates a tone of despair, highlighting how his disloyalty has given him nothing but suffering at a “petty pace”. This could be considered his peripeteia (where he realises that his ambition for power has ultimately led to his downfall), and that life is futile: “a tale told by an idiot… signifying nothing”. This reveals that Macbeth’s loyalty was never absolute- he offered allegiance only when it served his ambitions.
topic sentence for paragraph 2 (contrast with Banquo and Macduff):
This starkly contrasts Banquo and Macduff, whose unwavering loyalty reinforces Shakespeare’s depiction of moral integrity.
quotes for paragraph 2 (contrast with Banquo and Macduff):
“royalty of nature”
“O Scotland, Scotland!”
analyse “royalty of nature”
Banquo represents true, unwavering loyalty, even when the witches also prophesize his greatness, as he does not compromise his honour in pursuit of power. Macbeth notes this, fearing his “royalty of nature”. The noun “royalty” suggests that he embodies legitimate kingship- which Macbeth desperately lacks
analyse “O Scotland, Scotland!”
Meanwhile Macduff provides an even broader contrast to Macbeth’s selfish ambition. Unlike Macbeth, whose loyalty shifts on personal desires, Macduff remains devoted to justice and the rightful order: “O Scotland, Scotland!”. The repetition intensifies his distress, reinforcing patriotism as the driving force behind his actions.
paragraph 2 analysis (contrast with Banquo and Macduff):
This starkly contrasts Banquo and Macduff, whose unwavering loyalty reinforces Shakespeare’s depiction of moral integrity. Banquo represents true, unwavering loyalty, even when the witches also prophesize his greatness, as he does not compromise his honour in pursuit of power. Macbeth notes this, fearing his “royalty of nature”. The noun “royalty” suggests that he embodies legitimate kingship- which Macbeth desperately lacks. Meanwhile Macduff provides an even broader contrast to Macbeth’s selfish ambition. Unlike Macbeth, whose loyalty shifts on personal desires, Macduff remains devoted to justice and the rightful order: “O Scotland, Scotland!”. The repetition intensifies his distress, reinforcing patriotism as the driving force behind his actions.
topic sentence for paragraph 3 (LM consequence):
Alternatively, as a consequence of their disloyalty, Lady Macbeth is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming …
quotes to use for paragraph 3 (LM consequences):
“out damned spot out i say” “a little water clears us of this deed”
“with a taper” “come thick night”
“the queen my lord is dead”
analyse “out damned spot out i say”
Alternatively, as a consequence of their disloyalty, Lady Macbeth is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming ‘out, damned spot! Out I say!’ which directly juxtaposes her litotes in Act 1 (‘a little water clears us of this deed’). This allows the audience to view the turmoil within her mind, establishing the impact that regicide and power had on her. This is because the ‘spot’ is emblematic of the scar the regicide has created on her mind.
analyse “with a taper”
Furthermore, the stage directions mention how she is always seen to be ‘[with a taper]’, symbolising how she is constantly seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness. This characterisation is also considered to be the antithesis to her earlier presentation in Act 1 where she calls upon the night to help fuel and hide her powerful desires: ‘come thick night’. Essentially, as a direct consequence of her disloyalty, she is left as a hollow remnant of her former self.
analyse “the queen, my lord, is dead”
This is emphasised by the indirect revelation of her suicide: “the queen, my lord, is dead”. The detached phrasing suggests that it was expected and also not surprising- emphasising that she could not cope with their power having usurped the natural order through her disloyalty.
paragraph 3 analysis (LM consequences):
Alternatively, as a consequence of their disloyalty, Lady Macbeth is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming ‘out, damned spot! Out I say!’ which directly juxtaposes her litotes in Act 1 (‘a little water clears us of this deed’). This allows the audience to view the turmoil within her mind, establishing the impact that regicide and power had on her. This is because the ‘spot’ is emblematic of the scar the regicide has created on her mind. Furthermore, the stage directions mention how she is always seen to be ‘[with a taper]’, symbolising how she is constantly seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness. This characterisation is also considered to be the antithesis to her earlier presentation in Act 1 where she calls upon the night to help fuel and hide her powerful desires: ‘come thick night’. Essentially, as a direct consequence of her disloyalty, she is left as a hollow remnant of her former self.
This is emphasised by the indirect revelation of her suicide: “the queen, my lord, is dead”. The detached phrasing suggests that it was expected and also not surprising- emphasising that she could not cope with their power having usurped the natural order through her disloyalty.
conclusion:
Therefore, Shakespeare presents loyalty almost as a test of moral character, as when it is tangible, it reveals your true nature. Perhaps Shakespeare is ultimately warning that loyalty, when tainted by ambition, does not secure power but ensures an inevitable destruction.
