Discussion Topic

The turmoil in Scotland as described by Macduff and Malcolm

Summary:

The turmoil in Scotland, as described by Macduff and Malcolm, includes widespread suffering and chaos under Macbeth's tyrannical rule. The country is plagued by violence, fear, and the loss of noble leadership, with the people living in constant dread and despair.

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How has Macbeth's reign affected Scotland according to Macduff and Malcolm in Act 4, Scene 3?

In Macbeth, when Macduff and Malcolm meet in England, in Act IV, scene iii, they speak of how their "poor" country is reeling under Macbeth's "Great tyranny" (line33). Malcolm (the future king) is unsure of Macduff's allegiance, however and, although Macduff speaks of fighting to regain, as he says, "Our down-fallen birthdom" (line 4), Malcolm cannot help but question his intentions. 

Macduff wants to act without delay because with each passing day there are more atrocities as "New widows howl, new orphans cry..." (line 5) suggesting that men are dying mercilessly under Macbeth's reign. The men speak of "this tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongue" (line 12) as Macbeth, whom Malcolm had considered an honest man certainly loved by his men (including, he points out, Macduff), continues to cause great strife in Scotland.

Malcolm tests Macduff, indicating his mistrust and suggesting that Macduff may in fact be loyal to...

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Macbeth. Perhaps Macduff is only in England trying to get Malcolm to return to Scotland in order to "appease an angry god" (line 17), meaning that Macduff may be part of Macbeth's plan to destroy the rule of Scotland by getting rid of the true heir.

Macduff is shocked that Malcolm would believe this of him but Malcolm reminds him how appearances often belie the truth. Even angels fall and Macduff has left his own family in peril. However, such is Macduff's loyalty that he knows that while Scotland suffers, he must do what he can to return Malcolm to his rightful place as king of Scotland. They agree that, as Malcolm points out, Scotland "sinks beneath the yoke; It weeps, it bleeds..." (line 40). However, still testing Macduff, Malcolm suggests that it is possible that, under Macbeth, the rule is better than if he, Malcolm, rules Scotland. He suggests that perhaps he is a worse ruler than Macbeth. Macduff despairs at such words and vows to never return to Scotland if Malcolm does indeed "blaspheme his breed" (108).

Upon this, Malcolm realizes that Macduff is, in fact, loyal to him and can be trusted against "Devilish Macbeth," whom they are now determined to conquer, especially when Ross confirms what they say about Macbeth's reign, that Scotland is a "poor country, almost afraid to know itself..."(165).

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I assume that you are talking about Act IV, Scene 3 here.  In this scene, Macduff and Malcolm are in England, talking about how things are in Scotland.  The basic idea of their conversation is that things in Scotland have gotten much worse under Macbeth's rule.

You can see this from the very first words of the scene.  They say that everyday people are dying -- there are new widows and new orphans -- and that this slaughter is making Scotland feel a great deal of pain.

They blame this and all of Scotland's woes on Macbeth.  They say he is a tyrant and that "each new day a gash is added to her (Scotland's) wounds (46).

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In Macbeth, how does Macduff describe Scotland's turmoil?

Macduff tells Malcolm that things are not going well in Scotland with Macbeth in charge.

Malcolm says that they are going to weep over Scotland, and Macduff tells him there are problems in Scotland.

Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men
Bestride our downfall'n birthdom. Each new morn(5)
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 dolor. (Act 4, Scene 3)

Basically, he is colorfully describing how the country is going to the dogs.  Apparently with Macbeth in charge and the influence of the witches, there are a lot of supernatural occurrences that are just terrible.  We have moved from horses devouring each other to constant crying over the state of the country.

Macduff is a noble and loyal countryman.  He supports Malcolm and his country.  He is not interested only in revenge, even after he learns about his family's murder.  He wants to help Malcolm return to his rightful place at the throne to prevent the bloody tyrant from destroying the country further.  Ultimately, he is one of the reaons they are successful, because he is the one who kills Macbeth.

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