Writers throughout history have used their works to share their thoughts or opinions on many political topics. Some even make political statements that readers can relate to current political events hundreds of years later. William Shakespeare does just this in his play Macbeth. One idea that Shakespeare discusses is kingship and loyalty. .
In the beginning of the play, Macbeth clearly states what the responsibilities of the people, including himself are to the king and the state (Act I, Scene IV, Lines 28-30):.
"Our duties are to your throne and state,.
Children and servants; which do but what they should,.
By doing everything safe towards your love and honour." .
Macbeth until Act II does just as he says he should. When Macbeth is tempted with power and kingship, his loyalty to Duncan and Scotland is lost. The outcome of Macbeth's acts show that to betray your king and to throw out loyalty is to destroy society and throw nature into disarray. This disruption in nature is seen almost immediately the night that Duncan is killed (Act 2, Scene 4). This was a warning to the audience to maintain complete loyalty to ones country and king in order for life to continue free of disorder. .
In modern politics today, this idea can be related to in many countries. In countries where they have a king or absolute ruler the people must have loyalty to their ruler as well as their country. A country cannot survive with a ruler that the people strongly hate. If there is no loyalty to the ruler then chaos and rebellion will be present in that state. In countries where there is not an absolute ruler or a king the people are loyal to their country and have a sense of nationalism. If this nationalism is not present then the people will not have respect for the leader or for the other citizens of that country leading to complete pandemonium.
