Macduff
Extended Character Analysis
Macduff is the Thane of Fife and the man who ultimately ends Macbeth’s reign of terror. Macduff is a loyal thane who lacks the ambition of both Banquo and Macbeth, instead working to support whomever he sees as the rightful king. He quickly grows suspicious of Macbeth after Duncan’s murder, refusing to attend Macbeth’s coronation. However, his own sense of honor blinds him to the danger in which he has left his family after his flight to England. After hearing that his family was massacred, Macduff vows revenge, going on to defeat Macbeth in combat and restore order to Scotland.
Macduff acts as a foil to Macbeth, with his honesty, humility, and loyalty contrasting with Macbeth’s pride and ambition. If Macbeth is a “devilish” agent of the unnatural, then Macduff is an agent of the natural order, described by Lennox in act III, scene VI as a “holy angel.” Macduff is a selfless patriot, sacrificing his family, his status, and his own safety for the sake of restoring order to Scotland. He refuses to tolerate corruption, preferring to forsake Scotland entirely rather than allow a corrupt king to sit on the throne.
The thought of claiming the kingship for himself never crosses Macduff’s mind, highlighting his lack of personal ambition. His triumph over Macbeth in act V, scene VII represents the restoration of the natural order, as Malcolm, the rightful heir to Duncan’s throne, prepares to reclaim Scotland. The shadow of Macbeth’s reign is dispelled, and Macduff’s revenge for his family’s murder is complete. By one interpretation, Macduff is the true hero of the play, having far more heroic qualities and motivations than Macbeth. However, since Macbeth is the focus of the story, Macduff is instead an anti-villain to Macbeth’s anti-hero.
In addition to being victimized by Macbeth, Macduff is also impacted by the witches. It is their prediction—that Macbeth must “beware Macduff”—that leads to the slaughter of Macduff’s family. If Macbeth does not kill Macduff’s family, Macduff does not seek Macbeth out on the battlefield. However, Macduff is the man not of “woman born” who is destined to kill Macbeth, infusing the events with a degree of supernatural premeditation.
Macduff’s emotional reaction to finding out his family’s massacre calls into question the Macbeths’ concept of what it means to be a man. When Malcolm tells him to “dispute” his grievances like a man in act VI, scene III, Macduff responds that he must also “feel it like a man.” Macduff is normally quiet and stoic, but his reactions to the murders of both Duncan and his family suggest a rich emotional interior and contradicts Lady Macbeth’s assertion that kindness and grief are “unmanly.”
Expert Q&A
How does Macduff react to discovering Duncan's body?
Macduff reacts with horror to discovery of Duncan's body. He compares the king to a plundered temple and predicts "confusion" will follow. He states that violating God's will in murdering God's chosen and anointed king has shaken the foundations of the society.
Why does Macduff leave his family with the suspected murderer in Macbeth?
Macduff leaves his wife and kids with the man he suspects of murder in Macbeth most probably because he’s afraid of him. Macduff knows that he’s considered by Macbeth to be a very dangerous enemy, and so the longer he remains in Scotland, the more likely he is to end up being killed.
Why didn't Macduff go to Scone in Macbeth?
Macduff doesn't go to Scone for Macbeth's coronation because he is suspicious of Macbeth. His doubts begin after Duncan's murder when Macbeth's explanation for killing the guards seems contrived. Macduff's disgust becomes more apparent in Act 2, Scene 4, leading him to return to his own castle instead of supporting Macbeth, marking the start of his perceived disloyalty.
In Macbeth, how does Macduff plan to protect his country from ruin?
Macduff plans to protect Scotland by overthrowing Macbeth, who has become a tyrant. He urges Malcolm to act decisively rather than lament, emphasizing the need to remove Macbeth. Macduff supports Malcolm as a better alternative, despite Malcolm's self-doubts. Malcolm, testing Macduff's loyalty, finally reveals he has English allies ready to help. Macduff is committed to saving Scotland, even if it means aligning with a flawed leader like Malcolm over a tyrant like Macbeth.
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, what does Macduff vow to do to Macbeth and why?
Macduff vows to kill Macbeth to avenge the murder of his family and to restore peace and rightful rule to Scotland. Macbeth, driven by paranoia and the witches' warnings, has Macduff's family murdered, prompting Macduff's quest for revenge. He also opposes Macbeth because he knows Macbeth unlawfully took the throne. Ultimately, Macduff seeks to overthrow Macbeth to ensure Malcolm becomes king and bring stability back to Scotland.
What is the significance of Macduff's comments in Macbeth, Act 2?
Macduff's comments in Act 2 reveal his suspicion of Macbeth's involvement in Duncan's murder. He questions Macbeth's rationale for killing Duncan's guards and is skeptical of Macbeth's emotional explanation. Macduff's bluntness and loyalty are evident, as he does not attend Macbeth's coronation, indicating his distrust. His lines contrast with Macbeth's contrived speeches, highlighting Macduff's straightforward nature and initial doubts about Macbeth's fitness to rule.
Is Macduff's reaction to his family's murder in Macbeth realistic? Why or why not?
Macduff's reaction to his family's murder is depicted as both realistic and complex. Initially in shock and disbelief, he questions the news repeatedly, showing emotional turmoil. While he quickly resolves to seek revenge rather than dwell in grief, which might seem unrealistic, his focus aligns with his role as a military leader prioritizing Scotland's liberation. Shakespeare's portrayal captures a balance between personal grief and duty, reflecting the character's internal conflict effectively for the period.
What are Macduff's reactions to Malcolm's vices in Macbeth?
In Macbeth, Macduff reacts to Malcolm's claims of possessing vices with honesty and loyalty to Scotland. When Malcolm describes himself as a tyrant, Macduff, devastated, insists that such a ruler is unfit to lead. This response demonstrates Macduff's integrity and devotion to his country. Malcolm, realizing Macduff's sincerity, reveals he was merely testing Macduff's loyalty. They then join forces to overthrow Macbeth and restore Scotland's rightful leadership.
Macduff's Reaction to His Family's Murder
In Macbeth, Macduff's reaction to his family's murder reveals his deep grief, shock, and sense of guilt. Initially, he is overwhelmed by disbelief and sorrow, repeatedly questioning the news of their deaths. He acknowledges his family's innocence and blames himself for their fate, as they were targeted due to his opposition to Macbeth. Despite Malcolm's urging to "dispute it like a man," Macduff insists on feeling his loss deeply before channeling his grief into a vow of personal revenge against Macbeth, highlighting his honor and emotional depth.
The mutual animosity between Macbeth and Macduff in Macbeth
The mutual animosity between Macbeth and Macduff stems from Macbeth's tyrannical rule and the murder of Macduff's family. Macduff sees Macbeth as a usurper and a threat to Scotland, while Macbeth views Macduff as a significant threat to his power, leading to their inevitable confrontation.
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