macduff Flashcards
Whilst Macduff’s appearances in Act II are limited, their relevance
sets him up as macbeths nemesis
In Acts IV and V, Macduff’s very real masculinity
exposes Macbeth’s perverted version of masculinity
Macduff’s emotional response to his family’s slaughter
and his subsequent resolve turn the audience further against Macbeth
The Weird Sisters’ warning ‘Beware Macduff’ prompts Macbeth
to slaughter Macduff’s family, which in turn focuses Macduff’s vengeance
Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit,
And look on death itself!(Macduff)
Your royal
father ‘s murder’d
ROSS: Will you to Scone?
MACDUFF: No, cousin, I’ll to Fife
Well, may you see things well done there: adieu!
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! (Macduff)
MALCOLM: Dispute it like a man.
MACDUFF: I shall do so;But I must also feel it as a man
Macduff: O, I could play
the woman with mine eyes
Before my body
I throw my warlike shield
Macduff: What, all my pretty chickens
and their dam, fell in one swoop
Macduff: Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword
Malcolm: Be this the whetstone of your sword
let grief convert to anger
If thou be’st slain and with no stroke of mine,
My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still (Macduff)
