Macduff

• "Beware Macduff" Act 4


  > Witches telling Macbeth to be cautious of him

  > Foreshadows the end of Macbeth by Macduff's hands

  > This prediction changes the story as Macduff has now became central to the play

  > THEME: Ambition / Supernatural
• "None of women born shall harm Macbeth" Act 4


  > Macduff was a c-section baby and in those times did not count as being born if women

  > Lulls Macbeth into a false sense of security and invinciblity

  > Theme: Supernatural
• "bleed, bleed poor country" Act 4

  > Presents Macdufff as Patriotic to Scotland

  > Scotland was his priority but then regrets it

  > Common sub-theme of Blood and murder

  > THEME: Ambition / Power and Violence
• " all my pretty chickens and their dam at one fell swoop?" Act 4

  > An emotional metaphor of his family as innocent "chickens" being killed by the tyrannical "hell-kite" Macbeth

  > THEME: Guilt
• " Confusion now hath made it's masterpiece" Act 2


  > Personification of "Confusion" making it's "masterpiece" is in itself a confusing quote as it can be interpreted the same with"fair is foul..."

  > Common sub-theme is deception

  > THEME: Appearance vs. Reality
• " Turn hell-hound turn" Act 5


  > Vivid description of Macbeth as a servant/ helper to the Devil or to Cerberus, guarding Hades

  > THEME: Violence
• "Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope" Act 2


  > Metaphorical adjective "sacrilegious" used as Duncan's body was seen as sacred or holy and murdering him would be an act of blasphmey

  > THEME: Violence
• Macduff:

  • Symbolises ultimate loyalty
  • Minor character but most prominent minor character in the play
  • Static character - his loyalty to King Duncan and righteous heirs to the throne is unwavering
  • Becomes a focal point for Macbeth's rage and desire to protect his throne
  • Family is murdered by Macbeth's assassins after Macduff flees to England to seek help from the king
  • Revenge drives him to eventually kill Macbeth and instill Malcolm, the rightful heir, to the throne
• "Stands Scotland where it did?" Act 4


  > Shows his loyalty to Scotland ( first question when Ross arrived )

  THEME: Ambition