“Bleed, bleed poor country”

Cards (8)

  • he is lamenting the devastation and suffering that Scotland endures under Macbeth’s tyrannical rule.
  •  repetition of “bleed” conveys a sense of urgency and anguish.
  • Macduff feels the full weight of the country’s wounds, both physical and moral. 
  • Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a bleeding nation to symbolise Scotland’s decay and corruption.
  • “poor” emphasises the country’s vulnerability and suffering, painting a stark picture of the consequences of Macbeth’s unchecked ambition.
  • highlights Macduff’s patriotism, he deeply cares for Scotland and is motivated by a desire to restore order and justice.
  • His emotional outburst contrasts with Macbeth’s cold pursuit of power, and foreshadows Macduff’s eventual role in ending the tyranny. 
  • Macduff’s personal suffering and grief fuel his commitment to rid Scotland of Macbeth’s destructive reign.