malcolm

• "What I am truly, is thine, and my poor country's, to command"
A4S3

  • Whilst discussing oncoming kingship, Malcolm's words emphasise the expectation of a king to be led by his people, as well as to lead.

  • He makes it abundantly clear that, as king, he will lead with his peoples' best interests in mind, and prevent the country from descending into tyranny again.
• "Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell;"
A4S3

  • Throughout this scene Malcolm test Macduff’s loyalty and intentions.

  • Malcolm isn’t yet ready to place his complete trust in Macduff - does not have flaws of Duncan. Macduff appears to be good, he concedes, but everything evil tries to wear the disguise of good. However, Malcolm says that looking good doesn’t mean you are evil, because good people also look good.

  • The “brightest” is a metaphor for Lucifer, the once brightest angel who rebelled against God and became the Devil, which alludes to Macbeth who transformed from a "noble" warrior who fought for God and good, to a tyrant.
• "It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash is added to her wounds."
A4S3

  • Illuminates Malcolm's patriotism, as he loves his dear country and has great empathy for Scotland and the suffering people - good quality of a king

  • Here, Scotland is personified as an abused and bleeding country, highlighting how the country has descended into chaos due to Macbeth transgressing the natural order
• Malcolm “it weeps it bleeds and each new day a gash is added to her wounds”
• malcolm “angels are bright still though the brightest fell”
• malcolm “what i am truly, is thine, and my poor countrys to command”