Macduff Flashcards
“I am not treacherous” Appearance vs Reality
Macduff (Act 4)
The emphatic (being clear) simple sentence in Macduff’s declaration strips away ambiguity (uncertainty). He does not cloak himself in decorative language or feigned (forced) virtue.
This directness strengthens the sincerity of his claim, leaving no room for doubt about his true intentions.
Macduff’s diction (word choice) of “treacherous” serves as a clear distinction between him and the treacherous stain that now defines Macbeth.
This single word isn’t merely a denial; it’s a weaponised antithesis (contrast), a declaration of the moral principles that separates him from the murderer Macbeth.
“I have no words; my voice is my sword” Ambition and Violence
Macduff (Act 5)
In employing a violent metaphor, Macduff contends that the restoration of Scotland’s natural order necessitates physical violence - his ambition is to rightfully restore Scotland.
Thus, the initial upheaval (violent/sudden change), brought about by Macbeth’s violent tyrannical means, mandates a similar force to rectify the natural order that has been disrupted.
Macduff is the archetype (perfect example) of the avenging hero, motivated by revenge. Despite his personal motivations rooted in revenge, the nobility of his intensions shines through. His ambitous pursuit of dismantling Macbeth single-handedly to restore order is materialising into a reality.
The short sentence reflects the short amount of time that Scotland will have to continue to suffer. By slewing Macbeth Scotland can be rightly governed and flourish under divine ordain (Malcom).
