Macduff Flashcards
(10 cards)
When was Macduff first introduced and how, in act 2 scene 2 after duncan was killed?
Knock on the door, which kept going through the porters comical rant in the next scene, and then the door is opened to reveal Lennox and Macduff.
It is him who arrives after he is killed, and who will avenge his murder, by cutting macbeths head off.
How is Macduff’s macbeths foil?
he contracts macbeth most notably after banquo dies.
If we consider than macbeth turns his back through selfish greed, on the established system and traditions of his country by killing duncan and taking crown, macduff does completely opposite.
Macduff sacrifices everything he has (wife, children, castle) to see rightful heir on the throne and restore the balance in his country.
Audience sees correct actions that should be taken by a good subject.
When macduff travels to england in act 4 scene 3 to meet with malcom to get his consent to remove macbeth from the throne, what does he say?
‘Bleed, bleed, poor…
country!’ to highlight his concern.
And he states
‘O, scotland, scotland!’
The use of repetition highlights the strength of macduffs emotions here, and his loyalty lies with his nation.
In act 4 scene 3 when malcom reveals his vices, what he would do if he was king, e.g ‘pour the sweet milk of concord into hell’ and ‘confound all unity on earth’
What does macduff say he is not?’
‘fit to..
not to..
‘fit to govern.’
‘not to live.’
Shakespeare presents the audience the ideal version of royal subject.
He is willing to sacrifice all he has to maintain system, but ultimately, loyalty to his nation is his first priority . This makes Macbeths disregard for the nation stand out more.
When macduff family was murdered in act 4 scene 3, he swears revenge. how does he invoke heaven?
‘but, gentle..
‘if he ‘scape heaven forgive…
‘but gentle heavens,’
‘if he ‘scape, heaven forgive him too’
Malcom also states heaven against macbeth.
Suggestion is that he and malcolm are righteous and there is somehow a holy war against macbeth. Macduff and Malcom are on side of heaven.
-Natural order and divine right of kings - they’re selected by god.
What’s the importance of macduff killing macbeth?
Macduff is seen as the perfect subject, and Macbeth is an example of where selfish ambition can take you, Shakespeare makes a obvious claim for tradition and upholding the system through the last interaction between the two in act 5 scene 8.
Why is it Macduff who killed Macbeth and not Malcolm?
Malcom has no physical strength nor spirit to conquer tyrant (fled as soon as he heard of fathers death)
Macduffs suffering is portrayed as no less keen than macbeth: He is represented as noble and courageous and uncorruptible, Macbeths equal in bravery.
Howcome Macduff commiting regicide is different to Macbeth?
The murder of his wife and children is enough to convince the audience that this is justified.
Macbeth already destroyed natural order and divine right of kings - he wasn’t a rightful heir.
Macbeth was nervous to fight Macduff. He stated his..
‘soul was too much..
charged’
- reference to the slaughter of macduff family.
Macduff referred to Macbeth as a coward when he refused to fight. In macbeths final few lines, he states..
‘I will not yield, to kiss the ground..
before young malcom’s feet’
-Both noble lords and take fate into their own hands - macbeth to take the crown and macduff to go to england to restore rightful heir.
Macduffs actions are prompted by his love for his country and rightful king.
Macbeths are by greed, ambition.
