malcolm

• 'we will establish our estate upon our eldest, Malcolm'


  • Malcolm is establishes as Duncan's heir
  • Macbeth sees him as a 'step' that he must step on
  • he's in Macbeth's way - Malcolm is victimised
• 'Why do we hold our tongues?'

  • Malcolm does not show a lot of emotion when Duncan (his dad) is killed as he is prepared to ignore grief to take action
  • doesn't grieve for his own father PRAGMATIC
• ' To show an unfelt sorrow is an office which the false men does easy'


  • Malcom doesn't want to reveal how he feels as he doesn't trust anyone.
  • unlike his father - he is more guarded suspicious and less trusting
• 'offer up weak, poor, innocent lamb to appease an angry god'


  • he lies about his own faults
  • metaphor for sacrifice
  • angry god = Macbeth
  • lamb = him
  • adjective lamb suggests he's the rightful king.
• 'had I power, I should pour the sweet milk of control into hell'


  • Malcolm says Scotland will suffer even more after Macbeth is crushed
  • clever - testing Macduff
  • ironic - describes Macbeth's leadership
• 'Fit to govern! No not to live'


  • he then reveals he has non of the evil qualities and will be a good king
  • irony - shows the contrast between Macbeth and Malcolm as king.
• 'he's worth more sorrow and that I'll spend for him'


  • Malcolm sees Siward's static reaction to young Siward's death
  • doesn't let Macduff grieve - perhaps that's how he treats himself
  • manipulative ?
• 'give sorrow words'

  'dispute it like a man'


  • Malcolm is hailed as king of Scotland by Macduff
  • maybe he's learned or perhaps it's that now he has time