Macduff

Question 1

Macduff’s peers hold him in esteem and affection

Answer 1

e.g. Macduff is referred to by Banquo as ‘Dear Duff’ in act 2 scene 3.

Question 2

Macduff is a passionate and true man.

Answer 2

e.g.
•”Macduff, this noble passion … thy good truth and honour” (Act 4, scene 3)
•Malcolm sees he can be trusted.

Question 3

Macduff is the honourable thane who ultimately brings retribution to Macbeth. He is the man of destiny, ‘not born or woman’.

Answer 3

• discovers Duncan’s murder (Act 2, scene 3)
• suspects Macbeth’s guilt and refuses to attend his coronation (Act 2, scene 4). Macbeth begins to fear him (Act 4, scene 4)
• abandons his castle and flees to England without his family (Act 4, scene 1). his family are murdered in his absence (Act 4, scene 2)
• hunts out and kills Macbeth in single combat (Act 5, scene 8)

Question 4

“Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, That you do lie so late?” Macduff to the porter
(Act 2, scene 3)

Answer 4

He wonders why everyone is sleeping in so late, hinting at his concern and care for others. He’s friendly to the porter, despite his rank.

Question 5

“I believe drink gave thee the lie last night” Macduff to the porter
(Act 2, scene 3)

Answer 5

Macduff makes rude jokes with the porter about the effects of drinking. It’s comedy relief after the previous scene- and before the awful discovery of Duncan’s body.

Question 6

“Most sacrilegious murder”
After discovering Duncan’s body
(Act 2, scene 3)

Answer 6

Macduff suggests that a holy person had been killed, and the murder had went directly against God. (King James believed that King’s were meant to be appointed by God.)

Question 7

“He failed his presence at the tyrant’s feast”
Lennox updating the audience.
(Act 3, scene 6)

Answer 7

Macduff is out of favour for not going to Macbeth’s coronation banquet. Macduff’s abscence in this act shows how he has fled to England to seek help from King Edward and an army to overthrow Macbeth.

Question 8

“Macbeth! beware Macduff; Beware the Thane of Fife”
“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth”
The witches apparitions
(Act 4, scene 1)

Answer 8

The first apparition (an armed head) warns Macbeth of Macduff, starting to create fear for his safety.
The second apparition (a bloody child) offers a strange comfort to Macbeth.

Question 9

“My children too? … My wife kill’d too? All my pretty ones?”
“All my pretty chickens and their dam”
Macduff learns of his family’s murder.
(Act 4, scene 3)

Answer 9

The use of repetition emphasises Macduff’s struggle to take in the enormity of the new’s he had received