Macbeth :: Literary Analysis, Shakespeare

Loyalty is extremely important for the human race to possess since selfish creatures like us would create chaos if we were to not have an attachment to anything. In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character's, Macbeth's, story is a prime example of the chaos that could ensue with the absence of loyalty amongst the humankind. Loyalty to one's parents, friends, morals, country and so much more is what keeps one performing and living live realistically for the good of everyone and not just for one's self. In Macbeth, Macbeth threw off his loyalty to his King and kin to fully surrender himself to his desire for power. That instant where he commits to his own selfish wants, chaos began. People get murdered left and right, the lies and treason never stop and everything goes wrong for everyone, the natural order of things was disturbed. Shakespeares himself hints at this chaos by including a change of setting, usually slipping into a chaotic storm or a dark foreboding night to symb olize the absolute wrongness of the things happening. Some outcomes of strong loyalty are not always positive. For example, a battered wife that is loyal to her husband and will not leave him. Or a gambler that is loyal and dedicated to a slot machine. Shakespeare understood this negative loyalty and demonstrated it in Macbeth. He proved that loyalty isn’t always a good thing. In most cases loyalty to one thing means a lack to something else. For instance, a mother that is dedicated to her children could mean a slack at her job or at her relationship with her husband for the lack of attention they receive. The loyalty or lack thereof is the cause of Scotland’s downfall under Macbeth’s rule. Duncan is the King of Scotland and he has great loyalty and respect for his land. This is positive loyalty. Duncan says, â€Å"So well thy wounds. /They smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons.† (I. ii. 43-44) Duncan is talking about the honor that he feels for Macbeth for his victory in fighting for his land. Duncan later says to Macbeth, â€Å"True, worthy Banquo: he is full so valiant.† (I. iv. 54) Duncan is complimenting Macbeth for his loyalty, which proves his respect for his country and people who fight for it. Macbeth is loyal to his wife, which ends up costing lives.