conflict

Question 1

P1 - macduff discovers body - shocked - good and honourable

point - The first sign of the main conflict in the play comes after Macduff discovers Duncan’s body. Macduff is portrayed as a noble and honourable subject and is outraged by the horror he sees.

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Answer 1

1. Macduff says, “Approach your chamber and destroy your sight with a new gorgon”.
   (The word choice of “gorgon” refers to a mythical creature so hideous it would cause you to go blind, this suggests Macduff believes the sight of Duncan’s murdered corpse is so horrific is might cause him to go blind. This highlights that Macduff is good and noble to be so thoroughly outraged and disgusted by such a brutal scene and crime. )
2. Macbeth claimed he killed the guards because he was so angry with them for murdering Duncan, which Macduff finds suspicious; “Wherefore did you so?”
   (This use of word choice highlights Macduff’s suspicions; he finds it odd that Macbeth would murder the guards, he already is suspeecting him of foul play. Macduff appears to be set on discovering the truth and getting justice for the king.)
3. “Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope the Lord’s anointed temple.”
   (The word choice of “anointed temple” demonstrates Macduff is comparing Duncan to something holy, highlighting he was so loyal to his king and worshipped him to such a degree that he valued him at divine importance. This further emphasises just how horrifying Macduff found this murder. )

Question 2

P2 - banquet scene - macduff not there Macbeth gets more evil

point - During the banquet scene, Macduff is notably absent, suggesting his suspicions and distrust of Macbeth. Meanwhile Macbeth himself descends further down a destructive spiral.

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Answer 2

1. Macbeth says, “How sayst thou that Macduff denies his person at our great bidding?”
   (This use of word choice highlights Macbeth notices Macduff’s absence from his banquet, Macbeth is aware Macduff may be suspicious of him. This hunch is further supported by the fact he knew Banquo was aware of his actions, it is very possible Macduff was too. This highlights Macbeth is beginning to grow wary of Macduff and perceive him as a threat. )
2. “I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.”
   ( The word choice of “blood” highlights all the murders Macbeth has committed and the metaphorical blood on his hands. The word choice of “tedious” emphasises Macbeth sees no point of stopping his reign of terror, he plans to continue to use violence if it means he can remain on the throne. Here marks a clear change in Macbeth, we see his heart begin to turn cold, and whatever goodness that was inside of him seem to disappear. )

Question 3

P3 - witches prophecy macbeth be wary of macduff

point - The witches prophesied that Macbeth must be wary of Macduff, which further catalyses the conflict between them.

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Answer 3

1. “Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth: beware Macduff, Beware the Thane of Fife.”
   (The use of word choice of “beware” highlights the witches are warning Macbeth about Macduff and suggesting he will be the cause of his downfall and his main opposition. This suggests their conflict will soon come to a climax.)
2. Lennox is shown to say, “Macduff is fled to England.”
   (This use of word choice demonstrates that Macduff has left for England, to join Malcolm, Duncan’s son and persuade him to claim the throne. This suggests that Macduff has begun strategising his plan to overthrow and take down Macbeth, again building to this inevitable climax of the conflict between these two characters. Macduff’s actions here further support the witches’ prophecies; that Macduff will be Macbeth’s downfall. )
3. Following the prophecy Macbeth makes plans to send murderers to kill Macduff and his family, however upon arriving at his home they later discovered Macduff had fled and only his family were killed; “The castle of Macduff I will suprise; Seize upon Fife; give to th’edge o’th’sword His wife, his babes…”
   (The word choice of “th’edge o’th’sword” highlights the violence Macduff is planning to have bestowed upon Macduff’s family, suggests he has lost his conscience and is now just blindly using violence for his own benefit. The word choice of “his wife, his babes” demonstrates it is not just Macduff Macbeth is planning on killing but his wife and even his children even though there is not really a reason to do so besides pure spite. Again this emphasises how far down a dark path Macbeth has strayed. )

Question 4

P4 - macduff kills macbeth

point - Macbeth and Macduff’s conflict reaches a climax at the end of the play when Macduff kills
Macbeth.

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Answer 4

1. Macbeth gives Macduff a chance to back away from the fight saying, “…my soul is too much charg’d With blood of thine already”
   (This use of metaphor suggests Macbeth is too full and overburdened with the metaphorical “blood” of Macbeth’s wife and children that he had brutally slaughtered, and he doesn’t want to add Macduff’s murder to his conscience. This suggests he could feel remorse for what he has done and is exhibiting some redeemable qualities having reflected on his wrongdoings, or perhaps he is just looking for an excuse to escape the fight with Macduff he has been predicted to lose.)
2. Macduff reveals a loophole in the witches’ prediction saying, “…Macduff was from his mother’s womb Untimely ripp’d”.
   (The word choice of “untimely ripp’d” highlights that Macduff was born by caesarean section and therefore does not qualify as “woman born”. This demonstrates he can in fact be the one to cause harm to Macbeth and kill him. )
3. Macbeth speaks his final words before being killed by Macduff; “Lay on, Macduff, And damn’d be him that first cries, “Hold, enough!”
   (The word choice of “lay on” highlights Macbeths is asking for Macduff to strike and attack him. This suggests he has accepted his fate and the inevitable outcome of their conflict; that Macduff would emerge victorious and slay Macbeth. Perhaps Macbeth has accepted this because he recognizes he was wrong, with the murders he committed, and Macduff was right, or because he sees the witches’ predictions were true and he was destined to be defeated by Macduff.)