MALCOLM

Question 1

Malcolm
Line of arguement

Answer 1

Malcolm represents the true line of
kingship, and therefore the apparent restoration of order when he is crowned.

Question 2

A5S8: Malcolm is crowned king and
dismisses Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as heartless criminals.

Answer 2

A5S8: ‘this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen’

Question 3

A5S8: ‘this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen’

Answer 3

• the metaphor ‘dead butcher’ emphasises Macbeth’s brutality and lack of morals as a ruler.
• ‘Fiend-like’ compares Lady Macbeth to a devil, emphasising her sinister connection with the supernatural and how dangerous this could be to Jacobean audiences.
• Malcolm’s final monologue places the focus on stage onto
  Malcolm alone, juxtaposing with Macbeth’s earlier dominance and highlighting the total transformation of power.

Question 4

A4S3: Malcolm tries to test Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland by arguing that Macduff might still trust Macbeth.

Answer 4

A4S3 - ‘Angels are bright
still, though the brightest
fell.’

Question 5

A4S3 - ‘Angels are bright
still, though the brightest
fell.’

Answer 5

• Malcolm links to the theme of appearance and reality,
  suggesting even those who seem moral on the outside might
  be immoral in reality.
• superlative ‘brightest’ emphasises how even the most noble
  individuals (like Macbeth) can be corrupted
• allusion to the Biblical story of creation compares Macbeth
  to Satan, reinforcing his total transformation to depravity.