What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.
– William Shakespeare
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 2. When the traitorous Thane of Cawdor fights with the Norwegians against the Scots, Duncan bestows his title on Macbeth and orders the former thane executed. The King speaks of what is to be gained from being patriotic. However, there is irony in Duncan placing his trust in the “noble” Macbeth, since he is the one who will kill the King.