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Act 1, Scene 3
Every one did bear
Thy praises in his kingdom’s great defense
This line is spoken by Ross to Macbeth, explaining how pleased Duncan was with the bravery Macbeth showed during the rebellion. Ross highlights that Macbeth showed solidarity and patriotism for defending Scotland against a usurper and indicates that these qualities make Macbeth worthy of praise and honor. The line, however, will later turn out to be ironic in that Macbeth will be revealed to be someone whom Scotland needs to be defended against.
Act 1, Scene 4
Our duties are to your throne and state children and servants
In Act 1, Scene 4, Macbeth speaks this line to Duncan, expressing the high level of loyalty and devotion a good subject should feel toward his king. The line reveals how a king and the nation that king rules are intertwined, and how someone who is loyal to one should be loyal to the other. However, this line also reveals that patriotism and loyalty can be faked, since Macbeth is planning to kill Duncan and usurp the throne even as he is seemingly showing how obedient he is.
Act 4, Scene 3
Bleed, bleed, poor country!
Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure,
For goodness dare not check thee.
In Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff speaks these lines in despair, thinking he will not be able to persuade Malcolm to fight against Macbeth and take back the throne. Macduff’s main concern is the suffering that Scotland and his people will experience while Macbeth remains on the throne. Macduff shows his patriotism and devotion to his country by lamenting the fate he fears it will be left to suffer.
O nation miserable,
With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered,
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again,
Since that the truest issue of thy throne
By his own interdiction stands accursed,
And does blaspheme his breed?
Just before he says these lines in Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff has had a conversation with Malcolm in which, to test Macduff’s loyalty, Malcolm professes himself unfit to govern. Because of the false statements Malcolm has made about his own character, and because Macduff still maintains that the “bloody-sceptered” Macbeth should not be allowed to keep his crown, Macduff fears that no one is suitable to rule Scotland. Through his words, Macduff reveals his sincere love for Scotland through his desire to see a good and honorable man as its king.
