Macduff Act 2 Quotations

Question 1

Analyse the quotation - “O horror, horror, horror”

Answer 1

The repetition of Macduff’s emotional response to Duncan’s murder demonstrates how unfabricated and real his relationship was with Duncan, unlike Macbeth who fakes his reaction to trick others into believing he cares for Duncan like a righteous man should.

Question 2

Analyse the quotation - “Most __________ murder”

Answer 2

Sacreligious

The religious imagery utilised here demnstrated Macduff’s righteousness in the eyes of a Jacobean audience and how much this murder goes against the natural order. The dramatic irony of this being that the audience knows Macbeth is responsible, making him evil and in opposition to righteousness.

Question 3

Analyse the quotation - “No cousin, I’ll to ____.”

Answer 3

Fife

This declarative statement indicates that Macduff is perspicascious, since he is able to discern that Macbeth is not trustworthy immediately after the murder, whilst everyone is mourning Duncan. This juxtaposes Macduff and Macbeth from the beginning.

Question 4

Analyse the quotation - “Lest our old _____ sit ______ than our new”

Answer 4

Robes, easier

Macduff implies here, utilising the repeated motif of clothing for masking your true intentions, that he feels people need to be more closed off from others, as he feels the new King will be a threat to Scotland, foreshadowing Macbeth’s terrible reign.