Macduff

• Macduff


  • Acts as an avenging agent
  • Stands in contrast to the villainous Macbeth
• Macduff


  • Like Banquo, he represents the attributes a Jacobean audience would expect in a Scottish thane
• Noble


  When told the news of the murder of his wife and children, he gives a moving speech stating that there is more to manhood than violence and ambition. Men must also have compassion and feel grief: "I must also feel it as a man"
• Loyal


  His loyalty is tested by Malcolm and he passes the test: "I am not treacherous". He also repeatedly calls Macbeth a "tyrant", i.e. not a true ruler, but one who rules cruelly
• Brave


  He has no hesitation facing Macbeth – himself a fearsome warrior – in one-to-one combat, and he defeats him
• Audience would feel sympathy for Macduff


  Because of the cruel murder of his innocent family
• Macduff


  Acts as a symbol of the status quo: the actions of Macduff return order to the Kingdom of Scotland and return the rightful, God-chosen king to the throne