Malcolm

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Extended Character Analysis

Malcolm is the eldest son of King Duncan and the rightful heir to the Scottish throne. Duncan officially names Malcolm as his heir in act I, scene IV, cutting off Macbeth’s prospects for ascending the throne. After discovering that their father has been murdered, Malcolm and his brother Donalbain decide to flee Scotland and take refuge in neighboring courts. Malcolm flees to England, where he forms an agreement with the King of England in order to retake the throne of Scotland from Macbeth. When Macduff arrives in England, Malcolm is initially mistrustful, but the two eventually become allies. At the end of the play, Malcolm and the English forces are victorious, and Malcolm prepares to set right the harms that Macbeth has inflicted on Scotland. 

Malcolm’s test for Macduff establishes both his love for his country and his intelligence. Rather than immediately trusting a visiting Scottish noble, Malcolm instead tests him by claiming to be a lecherous, greedy, and dishonest man who would be an even worse ruler than Macbeth. Upon seeing Macduff’s dismayed reaction, Malcolm is able to trust him, ascertaining that Macduff cares more about Scotland than petty revenge. 

Malcolm also shows his personal nobility and leadership abilities when he helps Macduff direct his righteous anger over the murder of his family at the proper target. Unlike Macbeth, who tends to use people for his own gain, Malcolm puts effort into caring for his allies and genuinely mourns those lost in the battle against Macbeth. His speech at the end of act V, scene VII sees him rewarding the thanes who were loyal to him and attempting to set right everything that Macbeth disrupted.

Thematically, Malcolm represents the natural order. He is the rightful heir to Duncan’s throne and proves himself to be a prudent, capable, and virtuous man. His absence from Scotland coincides with Macbeth’s unnatural reign, and his return at the end of the play allows Scotland to begin healing. He intends to call home all of those whom Macbeth banished, and he decides to adopt an English custom by naming his thanes “Earls,” inviting change and prosperity to a country that has suffered under a narrow-minded tyrant.  

In 11th-century Scotland, kings were thought to have a divine right to rule, meaning that Malcolm’s ascension also represents the reinstatement of divine order. Unlike Macbeth, who seizes the throne through murder and treachery, Malcolm wins the throne righteously and through fair combat. Malcolm’s speech at the end of act V, scene VII leaves Scotland, and the audience, with the sense that everything is going to be set right, further emphasizing the unnaturalness of Macbeth's reign.

Expert Q&A

In Macbeth, how do Malcolm and Donalbain react to their father's murder?

Malcolm and Donalbain react to their father's murder by fleeing the country to ensure their safety. Donalbain goes to Ireland, and Malcolm seeks refuge in England. This decision casts suspicion on them but ultimately protects them from Macbeth, who would likely have killed them. Malcolm later returns to Scotland to fight against Macbeth alongside Macduff, while Donalbain does not return.

What fault does Malcolm claim to have in Macbeth?

Malcolm claims to have several vices, including lust and greed, which he argues would make him a worse king than Macbeth. He lists these faults to test Macduff's loyalty, not because he genuinely possesses them. Malcolm asserts he lacks all kingly virtues and would create chaos rather than maintain order. Macduff initially believes Malcolm is unfit to rule, but Malcolm later reveals it was a test, and they join forces against Macbeth.

What is Malcolm's resolution at the end of Act 4 in Macbeth?

By the end of Act 4 in Macbeth, Malcolm resolves to defeat Macbeth in battle with the help of Macduff and English forces. After testing Macduff's loyalty, Malcolm encourages him to transform his grief over his family's murder into anger against Macbeth. He assures Macduff that Siward and ten thousand troops are ready to join their cause, emphasizing that their revenge will serve as a remedy for their grief.

What are Malcolm's views on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

Malcolm views Macbeth as "treacherous," "bloody," and "malicious," ultimately calling him a "dead butcher" in act 5. He labels Lady Macbeth as "fiend-like." Malcolm contrasts Macbeth's true murderous nature with his own false confession of guilt to test MacDuff's loyalty to Scotland.

What does Malcolm promise to the thanes who fought with him in Macbeth [5.8.60-64]?

In his final speech, Malcolm promises to reward the thanes who fought alongside him by making them earls, marking the first such honor in Scotland. He also plans to bring back those who fled Macbeth's tyranny and ensure justice by addressing the crimes of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Malcolm commits to healing the nation from the horrors inflicted by Macbeth, emphasizing his intention to act with due "measure, time, and place."

Why does Malcolm pretend to be more evil than Macbeth and what does he discover?

Malcolm pretends to be more evil than Macbeth to test Macduff's loyalty and intentions. He claims to lack virtues and possess vices like lust and greed. Macduff, initially supportive, becomes disillusioned when Malcolm seems irredeemable. Malcolm reveals his deception, explaining it was a test due to Macbeth's previous attempts to ensnare him. This test confirms Macduff's honesty and genuine desire for Scotland's welfare, allowing Malcolm to trust him and plan to reclaim the throne.

What strengths and weaknesses does Malcolm display when motivating Macduff after his family's murder?

Malcolm shows both strengths and weaknesses when motivating Macduff after his family's murder. He empathetically urges Macduff to express his grief, demonstrating understanding and offering sound advice. However, Malcolm also pushes for revenge as a cure for grief, which may seem self-serving as it aligns with his own goals against Macbeth. While Malcolm encourages action, he initially misjudges Macduff's need to process his emotions, revealing a stereotypical view of masculinity.

In Macbeth, what two main faults does Malcolm pretend to have in his conversation with Macduff?

In his conversation with Macduff, Malcolm pretends to have two main faults: lustfulness and greed. He claims that his lust is insatiable and that his greed would drive him to seize the nobles' land and wealth, leading to perpetual conflict and chaos in Scotland. This pretense is a test to gauge Macduff's loyalty and suitability as an ally against Macbeth. Macduff's despair over Scotland's future convinces Malcolm of Macduff's loyalty.

Malcolm's Test of Macduff's Loyalty and Integrity

In Act 4 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending to be a person of terrible character, claiming to be lustful, greedy, and lacking kingly virtues. Malcolm's aim is to determine if Macduff is genuinely loyal to Scotland or secretly working for Macbeth. Macduff's reaction of despair and rejection of Malcolm as unfit to rule demonstrates his integrity and loyalty to Scotland, convincing Malcolm of his trustworthiness. This test ultimately strengthens their alliance against Macbeth.

Malcolm's Character and Relationship with Macduff in Macbeth

In Macbeth, Malcolm's character is portrayed as cautious, noble, and strategic, contrasting sharply with Macbeth's tyrannical rule. Initially distrustful of Macduff, Malcolm tests his loyalty by feigning vices, revealing both his wariness and intelligence. Their relationship evolves from suspicion to alliance, united by the common goal of overthrowing Macbeth. Malcolm's virtues include his commitment to Scotland's welfare, his strategic acumen in military planning, and his rightful claim to the throne, making him the ideal leader to restore order after Macbeth's reign.

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