Why Is Macbeth Worthy

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Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a story about Macbeth, a thane, who murders the King Duncan to become king. All of these actions catch up to him and he is ultimately killed by Malcolm and Macduff. Characters often called Macbeth worthy during the first three acts of the play, but as the play progresses he is not referred to as worthy anymore. Normally it is an honor to be considered worthy, but throughout the play it is used to persuade characters, and no longer has its original importance because nobody in the play is noble enough to be worthy of any praise.

At the the beginning of the play Macbeth is often described as worthy, as he has done nothing wrong up to this point, and is still seen as the protagonist. After Macbeth killed …show more content…

Macduff and Malcolm are the only ones in the last two acts to be called worthy because they are the “winners” of the battle between them and Macbeth. Before the battle, Ross says to Macduff and Malcolm, “When I came hither to transport the tidings /Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumor /Of many worthy fellows that were out /Which was to my belief witnessed the rather /For that I saw the tyrant’s power afoot. /Now is the time of help. Your eye in Scotland /Would create soldiers, make our women fight /To doff their dire distresses” (4.3.210-216). Ross is trying to convince Malcolm and Macduff that they should join the rebellion against Macbeth. He calls the people fighting against Macbeth worthy. Not only is worthy not used to describe Macbeth, but it is used to fight against him. This is a complete flip from the use of worthy earlier in the book. Worthy is being used to help describe the people fighting against Macbeth instead of being used to describe Macbeth himself. Right before Malcolm and Macduff invade Macbeth, Malcolm says, “Now near enough. Your leafy screens throw down /And show like those you are.—You, worthy uncle, /Shall with my cousin, your right noble son, /Lead our first battle./Worthy Macduff and we /Shall take upon ’s what else remains to do, /According to our order.” (5.7.1-7). Again worthy is used to fight against Macbeth, as Malcolm is calling his men worthy because they are willing to take on

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