ENGLIT MACBETH macduffs quotes

Question 1

How is Macduff mourning his children in IV.3 significant to the play?

Answer 1

“all my pretty ones? did you say all?”

• gives the audience to emotionally connect with the character of Macduff and start to root for Macbeth’s downfall
• gives Macduff a personal justification for killing Macbeth

Question 2

How is Macduff not going to Macbeth’s coronation in II.4 significant?

Answer 2

• hints that he’s suspicious of Macbeth

- also sets him up as Macbeth’s main enemy

Question 3

How are Lady Macduff’s morals shown to be reversed in IV.2?

Answer 3

“to do harm is often laudable”

shows how the morals of Scotland have been turned upside down by Macbeth’s tyranny

Question 4

How is Macduff shown to be honourable in IV.3?

Answer 4

“this noble passion, child of integrity”

• “child” shows that “integrity” is very close to him, as if he were a part of its family, ironic because he leaves his own family undefended in Scotland where they are murdered
• shows that he has more love for “integrity” than his own family, or that’s how it appears to be to Malcolm

Question 5

How is Macduff shown to be a soldier in V.8?

Answer 5

“I have no words: my voice is in my sword”

• extremely violent language
• means that he doesn’t want to discuss with him any further, possibly because Macbeth’s words have meant nothing up to this point
• words have been used as “false face” throughout the play, Macduff just wants to reveal himself for the soldier that he is

Question 6

How is Macduff shown to be emotional in IV.3?

Answer 6

“I must also feel it as a man”

shows that there is more to being a man than just being ruthless and over-violent

Question 7

How is Macduff shown to be unwise?

Answer 7

• leaves to England to help Malcolm fight Macbeth, in doing so he leaves his wife and children unprotected
• shows that he has courage but doesn’t have wisdom

Question 8

How is Macduff shown to be a bad father in IV.2?

Answer 8

• he lacks “the natural touch”

- she thinks his behaviour shows a lack of fatherly love

Question 9

How is the relationship between Lady Macduff and her son shown in IV.2?

Answer 9

• shows courage by calling him “poor bird”
• her love and affection for him is clear
• speak in prose which makes the scene more natural and homely, this makes the murders more shocking

Question 10

How does Macduff show concern for Scotland in IV.3?

Answer 10

“Bleed, bleed, poor country!”

• use of blood could foreshadow the violent way Macbeth dies, who is the cause of Scotland’s troubles
• he is angry at himself and others for not helping Scotland sooner
• vows to get revenge on Macbeth and ends up leading the revolt against him

Question 11

How does Macduff show determination to kill Macbeth in V.7?

Answer 11

“Tyrant, show thy face!”
shows his determination to kill Macbeth and to get revenge for the murder of his family
“let me find him, Fortune, and more I beg not”
calls on fortune to help him, echoing the role of fate and supernatural in play, represented by the witches and elsewhere in the play