The concept of honor plays a large role in the way people interact with one another. Some conflicting views may cause conflict with others. Shakespeare's’ dramas and comedy showcase a wide range of character’s standpoints about honor and show how strongly affected they are by their opinions.
In “Macbeth” Macbeth and Macduff show how people who honor different things may ruin each other's lives. After being persuaded by his wife to kill the king, Macbeth declares “I dare do all that may become a man; / Who dares do more is none” (1.7.50-52). Macbeth chooses to honor his manhood over his loyalty to the king and his country. He is willing to do anything to prove to his wife that he is a man, even if it means the well-being of the kingdom is …show more content…
MacDuff’s honor and loyalty to Scotland are tested by Malcolm, it is clear that Macduff has a passionate love for his country and is deeply concerned with the values of the king. This is opposite of Macbeth who believes he is fit to be king despite his murdering, lying, and dishonor. Macbeth also lacks the ability to honor any life when he states that he will “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, / Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword /His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line. (4.1.166-174) Macbeth has simply heard that Macduff has left and his immediate response is to murder …show more content…
Falstaff addresses the prisoner who will likely die in battle by saying “Tut, tut, good enough to toss; food for powder, / food for powder. They’ll fit a pit as well as/ better. Tush, man, mortal men, mortal men” (4. 2. 66V68). He has no sympathy for their lives as he believes that they are just tools on the battlefield. He sees absolutely no honor in fighting, only as a dangerous feat. Realizing that his army is outnumbered by the king’s soldiers, Hotspur says “Forty let it be, / My father and Glendower being both away, / The powers of us may serve so great a day. / Come let us take a muster speedily./ Doomsday is near. Die all, die merrily” (4. 2. 138-142). Hotspur is so concerned about redeeming his honor on the battlefield that he is willing to die for it. He believes it is better to get revenge on that battlefield and die than to continue living. Before going into battle, Falstaff remarks that “honour pricks me on...What is honour? A word. What is in that word “honour”? What is that “honour”? Air...Who hath it? He that died o’ Wednesday...Therefore I’ll none of it. Honour is a mere scutcheon. (5.1.129–139). Falstaff feels that honor has no worth unless someone is injured, even then, it cannot heal the wounded. He believes that it is simply a word, and the only people who have it, are dead. Hotspurs last words before his death
In “Macbeth” Macbeth and Macduff show how people who honor different things may ruin each other's lives. After being persuaded by his wife to kill the king, Macbeth declares “I dare do all that may become a man; / Who dares do more is none” (1.7.50-52). Macbeth chooses to honor his manhood over his loyalty to the king and his country. He is willing to do anything to prove to his wife that he is a man, even if it means the well-being of the kingdom is …show more content…
MacDuff’s honor and loyalty to Scotland are tested by Malcolm, it is clear that Macduff has a passionate love for his country and is deeply concerned with the values of the king. This is opposite of Macbeth who believes he is fit to be king despite his murdering, lying, and dishonor. Macbeth also lacks the ability to honor any life when he states that he will “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, / Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword /His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line. (4.1.166-174) Macbeth has simply heard that Macduff has left and his immediate response is to murder …show more content…
Falstaff addresses the prisoner who will likely die in battle by saying “Tut, tut, good enough to toss; food for powder, / food for powder. They’ll fit a pit as well as/ better. Tush, man, mortal men, mortal men” (4. 2. 66V68). He has no sympathy for their lives as he believes that they are just tools on the battlefield. He sees absolutely no honor in fighting, only as a dangerous feat. Realizing that his army is outnumbered by the king’s soldiers, Hotspur says “Forty let it be, / My father and Glendower being both away, / The powers of us may serve so great a day. / Come let us take a muster speedily./ Doomsday is near. Die all, die merrily” (4. 2. 138-142). Hotspur is so concerned about redeeming his honor on the battlefield that he is willing to die for it. He believes it is better to get revenge on that battlefield and die than to continue living. Before going into battle, Falstaff remarks that “honour pricks me on...What is honour? A word. What is in that word “honour”? What is that “honour”? Air...Who hath it? He that died o’ Wednesday...Therefore I’ll none of it. Honour is a mere scutcheon. (5.1.129–139). Falstaff feels that honor has no worth unless someone is injured, even then, it cannot heal the wounded. He believes that it is simply a word, and the only people who have it, are dead. Hotspurs last words before his death