Macbeth: Act 1

Appearance vs Reality:
  Machiavelli wrote in The Prince "It is not essential that a prince have all good qualities but it is most essential that he should seem to have them." This means that to gain the respect and obedience of your people you must always act like you know what is going on and you must always show good character towards your people. It  could also mean that you will lie to get what you want. In Macbeth, I think the characters that most represent these statements are the Weird Sisters; "fair is foul, and foul is fair."

Gender Roles:
Throughout the story of Macbeth, gender evaluation is considered throughout the whole story. Like now, men and women are expected to have the qualities and strengths of the gender that was bestowed on them at birth. For example, in Macbeth men are expected to inflict wounds, kill and be honorable in war. If you were to show that you could do all of these things, you were greatly respected. The quote by King Duncan "So well thy words become thee as thy wounds: They smack of honour both," (1.3.43-44) represents that because of his wounds, he is honorable. Generally as a woman you would do the more "womanly chores" such as cleaning, cooking, supporting your husband quietly and respectfully; but Lady Macbeth took matters into her own hands when she believed that Macbeth wasn't strong enough to kill King Duncan. " That tend on mortal thoughts, unsec me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood, stop up th'access and passage to remorse, that no compunctiouns visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, more keep peace between th'effect and it. Come to my womens breasts , and take my milk for gall.." (1.5.40-46) Lady Macbeth is planning the kill herself; taking the place of her husband.

Loyalty and Honor:
In Macbeth, honor is portrayed very deeply through the royals and war heros. If you show great strength, stability, and leadership in battle then you are well appreciated. Macbeth fought incredibly and impressed the King very much. Because of this, and the death of the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth was named the new Thane of Cawdor. Machiavelli's quote "It is not the titles that honor men but the men that honor titles." shows that men who are loyal and honorable towards their leaders and peers are the men that are the most respectful and  the most appreciated. I think that Macbeth betrays this by killing King Duncan.