Macduff Flashcards
First impressions - Macduff
first appearance 2.3 to meet D who is murdered in his chamber - naturally, MD is the one who discovers this - feels “horror” and “confusion” and expresses to M&LM.
His arrival is juxtaposed with the porter’s hellish speech
He uses mythological and religious imagery to express this shock, emphasising its severe nature “Most sacreligious murder” “Approach the chamber and destroy your sight with a new Gorgon”
Questions M - why he murdered the guards - shows suspicion plus opposition
Tries to protect LM from the sight and discovery - she faints - this is ironic because she was the mastermind behind the regicide and smeared blood on the guards. Shows he is caring to all around him.
Virtuous - Macduff
Agrees to join B in the fight against “treasonous malice” 2.3, establishing him as a threat against M.
Suspicion of M is suggested when he doesn’t attend M’s coronation in 2.4 at “Scone” - shows that he has good morals and principles and will not compromise them to save face
MD fears that the future of Scotland will be unstable
Opponent to Macbeth - Macduff
Flees to england to join Mal - putting him and his whole family at risk. MD rightfully distrusts M and this leads to M ordering his whole family (and him) to be murdered. This is only due to the witches warning “beware the thane of fife” in 4.1, though he probably would have ordered MD’s death soon enough
“his wife, her babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” - needs to eliminate the threat of MD as it is too large, so is going to kill anyone related to him - M will stop at nothing as MD’s inherent good nature threatens him personally and as a king.
Family - Macduff
Decision to oppose M leaves his family vulnerable - and he knew this.
His wife describes him as “One who lies and cheats” in 4.2, before her and her children get murdered.
To them, MD is not virtuous at all. He promised he would stay and then left, leading to their violent and unnecessary deaths. Tragic waste of the lives of innocents. For MD, there is a trade off between the health of his country and all its inhabitants or the health of his family.
“Savagely slaughtered” “murdered deer”
Revenge - Macduff
Acts as a moral judge/moral compass when he visits Mal/is tested by Mal. “Fit to govern? No, not to live” - is prepared to go against the rightful heir if it will mean his country is safe, seeing as Mal says he is so bad that even “black macbeth will seem pure as snow”
MD is stricken with grief and guilt following the news of his family’s death. He knows he betrayed them - “I must also feel it like a man”
This leads to him being even angrier at M and having more of a reason for revenge, wanting to personally confront M in battle and is encouraged by Mal saying “Macbeth is ripe for shaking”
‘I have no words; my voice is in my sword.’ - he now lets his feelings reign over him to avenge his wife and children ‘my wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.’
