Macbeth is the epitome of honest and loyal to Duncan in the first act of the play. The king's son, Malcolm, reports to the king from the battlefield that Macbeth had been the most courageous of the thanes, even "unseaming" an enemy "from the nave to the chops" (I, ii).
A few hours later, another thane announces the bravery that Macbeth and Banquo have shown during another battle, prompting Duncan to offer Macbeth a higher title lost by a traitor - "What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won" (I, ii).
Even after the original prophecies of the witches, Macbeth, while intrigued with their outcome, at first denies any action that might hurry them along as evidenced by his lines, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir" (I, iii).
Unfortunately, Macbeth's strength does not last long. After his initial resolve, he falls prey to the lure of power and position, and kills the king.
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