All 6 Uses of
treason
in
Macbeth
- Whether he was combined
With those of Norway, or did line the rebel
With hidden help and vantage, or that with both
He laboured in his country's wreck, I know not;
But treasons capital, confessed and proved,
Have overthrown him.†p. 23.1treasons = acts of betrayal
- But I have spoke
With one that saw him die: who did report,
That very frankly he confessed his treasons;
Implored your highness' pardon; and set forth
A deep repentance: nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it; he died
As one that had been studied in his death,
To throw away the dearest thing he owed
As 'twere a careless trifle.†p. 27.0
- Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in, equivocator.†
p. 61.6treason = an act of betrayal
- — Ring the alarum bell:—murder and treason!
p. 67.3 *treason = betrayal against the king
- Fears and scruples shake us:
In the great hand of God I stand; and thence,
Against the undivulged pretense I fight
Of treasonous malice.†p. 71.7treasonous = involving betrayalstandard suffix: The suffix "-ous" in treasonous means full of. This is the same pattern you see in words like dangerous, poisonous, and humorous.
- Duncan is in his grave;
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;
Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing,
Can touch him further.†p. 93.5treason = an act of betrayal
Definition:
betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
(in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)