Macbeth

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1. 
   luannw Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   In this scene, when Malcolm is speaking with Macduff in England, Malcolm isn't yet sure who his friends are and who his enemies are.  He isn't sure he can trust Macduff since Macduff had been one of Macbeth's friends at one time.  He says that for all he knows, Macduff is actually there to win favor with him and thus get in Malcolm's inner circle only so that he can later betray Malcolm to Macbeth.  Malcolm tests Macduff by telling Macduff that he, Malcolm, would be an awful king filled with vices of every kind.  When he sees that Macduff is grieved then about the future of Scotland under such rule, he realizes that Macduff is loyal to Scotland.  Malcolm ends the scene by telling Macduff that he is ready to return to Scotland with the help of the English to overthrow Macbeth, and then he can express his grief openly.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/

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   Posted by luannw on Tuesday July 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM
   
   

2. 
   pmiranda2857 Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   This scene is full of sorrow and grief.  First Macduff expresses his pain over the plight of Scotland.

   "New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows
   Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds
   As if it felt with Scotland and yell'd out
   Like syllable of dolour." (Act IV, Scene III)

   Malcolm is careful not to express his own sorrow over Scotland because he is not sure of Macduff's loyalty.  He feels that he should protect his position until he is sure of those around him.  He receives proof of Macduff's loyalty through the dramatic news brought by Ross.

   Macduff learns that his family has been murdered. 

   "Your castle is surpris'd; your wife and
   babes
   Savagely slaughter'd; to relate the manner,
   Were, on the quarry of these murder'd deer,
   To add the death of you." (Act IV, Scene III)

   Malcolm is then convinced that Macduff is, in fact on his side.

   "This tune goes manly.
   Come, go we to the king; our power is ready;
   Our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth
   Is ripe for shaking, and the-powers above
   Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer
   you may;" (Act IV, Scene III)
   
    

   Sources:

   http://www.absoluteshakespeare.com/plays/macbeth/a4s3.htm

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   Posted by pmiranda2857 on Tuesday July 1, 2008 at 4:42 PM