Malcom

Question 1

“weak poor innocent lamb// To appease an angry God”
act 4
violence

Malcom’s character is defined by his relationship to the concept of the divine right of kings. As a representative of God’s will, he prioritises God and good morals

Answer 1

• “Lamb” within biblical context, is an animal used for sacrifice - a symbol of triumphant and suffering
• By Malcom referring to Macbeth as this, he may be alluding that Macbeth’s triumphant in becoming King, has directly lead to a pitiful suffering
• The reference of “God” exacerbates this as he realises that Macbeth’s “poor” and unconrtollable Hubris, has lead to a pathway of “an angry God”; an eternal hell

Question 2

What I am truly//is thine and my poor countries to command
Act 4
Appearance vs reality

“Malcom serves as a benchmark by which we can judge Macbeth’s reign. His actions and motivations help us consider the ideas of manhood, family, and royal duty, all which Macbeth’s preverts

Shakespeare uses Malcolm to personify the ideal of rightful kingship, contrasting him with Macbeth by presenting a ruler whose leadership is grounded in selflessness and service to the nation, rather than in the ambition and fear-driven tyranny that defines Macbeth’s reign.

Answer 2

• Caesura: The caesura after “thine” creates a momentary pause. This silence, delivered by the actor, allows the audience to fully absorb Malcolm’s honest dedication. There’s no gap between his outward presentation and his inner reality - he is, in essence, the embodiment of a true king.
• Here, Malcolm defines himself through unwavering dedication to his service - serving Macduff and his “poor country” This selfless declaration positions him once again as the antithesis of the tyrannical Macbeth.

Possessive pronoun “my”: Malcolm’s use of the possessive pronoun “my” before “poor countries” reveals more than just ownership. It illuminates a sense of paternalistic (fatherly) tenderness. The adjective “poor” evokes sympathy for Scotland’s suffering under Macbeth’s dismantling rule.
* By calling it “my poor country,” Malcolm portrays himself not as a distant ruler, but as a compassionate protector. This choice of words reinforces his image as a leader with the character and empathy befitting a true king.

Question 3

A good and virtuous nature may recoil// in an imperial charge. But I shall carve your parden
act 4
appearence vs reality

Answer 3

Malcolm’s statement betrays a deep understanding of human nature and how one can appear to have good intentions, yet in reality be swayed by baleful influences. The diction on “recoil” illuminates he recognises the seductive nature of power and the risk of moral compromise, even for the well-intentioned.

• This subtle admission underscores Malcolm’s wisdom - he recognises that true leadership requires not just good intentions, but also the strength to confront the potential compromises that power demands.
• The enjambment after ‘recoil” makes the line bleed into the next, this physically representing how swiftly an individual with a “hounourable nature” can be drawn by the allure of “imperial charge” and power.

Malcolm is shrewd and wise as he understands the complexities of human nature - how even those divinely ordained, like himself, can be swayed by the satanic temptation of power. Here, Malcolm acknowledges the fragility of faith in the face of immense ambition.