macduff q+a Flashcards
“I have no words; my voice is my sword.” (act 5)
The sword symbolises justice and vengeance.
• By allowing his “voice” to be his sword, Macduff embodies the concept of righteous retribution, as his actions are driven by the need to avenge his family and restore the The Great Chain of Being, disrupted by Macbeth’s tyranny (oppressive).
His grief and anger over the murder of his family will be expressed through combat, reinforcing the idea that violence is the only way to restore justice and order.
“I am not treacherous” (act 4)
The emphatic simple sentence in Macduff’s declaration strips away ambiguity.
Unlike Macbeth, who cloaks his intentions in duplicitous (deceit) language, Macduff’s clear and concise denial reinforces the sincerity of his character..
By relying on straightforward language, Macduff emerges as the antagonist (villainous) to Macbeth’s deceit, representing a stable moral force in the chaotic world Macbeth has created.
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