He hath honor'd me of late; and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people

He hath honor'd me of late; and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people

In the famous play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, the character of Macbeth speaks these words in Act 1, Scene 7. Macbeth is contemplating whether or not to go through with the murder of King Duncan in order to fulfill the witches' prophecy that he will become king. He is torn between his ambition and his sense of morality, and these words reflect his inner turmoil.

When Macbeth says, "He hath honor'd me of late," he is referring to King Duncan's recent praise and favor towards him. Macbeth has been a loyal and brave warrior for the king, and Duncan has rewarded him with titles and honors. This recognition has made Macbeth feel respected and valued, and he is grateful for the king's kindness.

However, Macbeth's desire for power and ambition begins to cloud his judgment. He starts to think about the possibility of becoming king himself, and the idea becomes increasingly appealing to him. He believes that if he were to kill Duncan, he would gain even more honor and respect from others. This is why he says, "and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people." Macbeth believes that by committing this act, he will be seen as a hero and a strong leader, and that others will admire and praise him for his courage and ambition.

These words reveal Macbeth's inner conflict and his struggle with his own conscience. He knows that killing Duncan is wrong, but his ambition and desire for power are too strong to resist. He is willing to sacrifice his morals and integrity in order to achieve his goals, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to become king.