Macduff- Character Flashcards
How would you describe Macduff’s character?
Loyal & patriotic → Devoted to Scotland, not personal ambition.
Brave & honorable → The only one strong enough to defeat Macbeth.
Suspicious & wise → First to suspect Macbeth’s role in Duncan’s murder.
Emotional & human → Deeply mourns his family’s murder, showing genuine grief.
A foil to Macbeth → Macbeth is tyrannical and selfish, while Macduff fights for justice.
quote that shows how Macduff reacts with shock to Duncan’s murder, showing his loyalty and integrity.
“O horror, horror, horror!”
quote where he mourns his family’s death, proving he balances strength with emotion.
“I must also feel it as a man.”
quote that reveals Reveals how he is able to defeat Macbeth, fulfilling the Witches’ prophecy.
Macduff was from his mother’s womb Untimely ripp’d
How does Macduff contrast with Macbeth?
Macbeth is ruthless & ambitious, while Macduff is moral & loyal.
Macbeth kills for power, while Macduff kills to restore order.
Macbeth hides behind prophecies, while Macduff fights with real courage.
Macbeth is a tyrant, while Macduff is a true hero who saves Scotland.
➡️ Macduff is the play’s moral compass, proving that true leadership is about justice, not ambition.
Why is Macduff the one to kill Macbeth?
Fulfills the Witches’ prophecy → He was not “born of woman” in the usual way.
Symbol of justice → Macbeth killed his family, so Macduff gets revenge.
Restores order → Scotland suffers under Macbeth; Macduff helps Malcolm take the throne.
Final test for Macbeth → Macbeth realizes the Witches tricked him when facing Macduff.
➡️ Macduff’s victory represents good defeating evil
When does Macduff first suspect Macbeth, and why?
After Duncan’s murder (Act 2, Scene 3) → Macbeth acts strangely and kills the guards too quickly.
He refuses to attend Macbeth’s coronation (Act 2, Scene 4) → Suggests he does not trust him.
He flees to England (Act 4, Scene 1) → Proves he sees Macbeth as a tyrant and wants Malcolm as king.
➡️ Macduff’s actions show that not everyone is fooled by Macbeth’s lies.
What is the significance of Macduff’s family being killed?
Shows Macbeth’s cruelty → He murders innocent people out of paranoia.
Deepens Macduff’s motivation → Makes his revenge personal, not just political.
Proves Macduff is the true hero → Unlike Macbeth, he cares for his family and mourns them.
➡️ Shakespeare contrasts Macbeth’s heartlessness with Macduff’s humanity.
How does Macduff’s role connect to history?
Supports King James I’s rule → Shakespeare shows a noble man restoring rightful leadership.
Promotes the idea of divine right → Malcolm, the true heir, takes back the throne.
Reflects real fears of tyranny → Audiences in Shakespeare’s time feared unstable rulers like Macbeth.
➡️ Macduff is Shakespeare’s way of showing that tyranny must be overthrown for order to be restored.
