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Macduff has fled Scotland, leaving his wife and children defenceless. Murderers arrive and kill first
Macduff's son, and then his wife. It is understood that they ransacked the castle, murdering and pillaging
as they went.
THE MENTAL SIDE OF MURDER
Murder is never an easy thing, even for a battle-hardened man like Macbeth. When someone is
superstitious, however, it is even more difficult.
The ancient peoples believed there was a direct link between nature and the goodness of one's actions.
This was especially so when it came to authorities who enjoyed God's favour -- people such as kings.
Even before Macbeth went to Duncan's bedchamber to murder the king, nature was described as
darkening over.
Then Macbeth saw visions. A ghostly dagger appeared, apparently leading the way. In another vision,
the dagger was covered in blood.
And then the noises began: the howling of wolves, owls screeching, sounds on the stairs. Even Lady
Macbeth appeared disturbed -- although she maintained an heroic front.
Macbeth shrank before the tumult. He fled the murder scene, taking the daggers with him and refusing
to return. Lady Macbeth was therefore left to do the mopping up after the murder.
We see too the first signs of regret. Macbeth wished that his actions could be undone -- and he
wondered whether his hands would ever again be clean.
This latter wish would also affect Lady Macbeth. Towards the end of the play, we find her sleepwalking
and attempting to wash her own hands clean of Duncan's blood.
Have you looked at the questions in the right column?
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TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer the following questions:
Why should Macbeth have ordered the murder of the defenceless Lady Macduff and her
children? (5)
[Need help?]
Macbeth felt desperately slighted by Macduff for his failing to attend either his coronation or his celebratory
feast -- the one where Banquo's ghost appeared.
He had therefore already decided to take action against his rival even before he went to visit the witches.
Their warning him to beware Macduff made Macbeth decide that he must take immediately action.
He was, however, too late. Already Macduff had gone to England.
Was it anger then that caused Macbeth to slaughter Macduff's wife and children? Was it revenge? Or
was it just frustration that nothing appeared to be going right for him?
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Why did Lady Macduff tell her son that his father was dead? (5)
[Need help?]
There are possibly several reasons.
Scotland at the time was a very dangerous place in which to live -- with people being murdered for no
apparent reason.
Lady Macduff must have felt very insecure. She must also have been very angry that her husband had
fled to England, leaving her defenceless with her children.
Telling her son that his father was dead could therefore have arisen from her anger. On the other hand,
it might have been true -- or might have been about to come true.
It was easier to tell her son immediately that his father was dead than leave it till later when he was indeed
dead.
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The Roman Polanski movie depicts the Thane of Ross as being a traitor who at one time sides with
Macbeth. Only later, when he sees the writing on the wall, does he cross over to the other side. When
Ross visits Lady Macduff, therefore, he comes as a traitor -- and betrays her by leaving her castle gates
open to the murderers.
- How valid is this interpretation? (3)
[Need help?]
It's probably not valid at all. Nevertheless, there are strange inconsistencies in Ross's actions.
Why has he come to visit Lady Macduff at all? After all, he does nothing to protect her but merely tells
her that her husband is a noble person.
He does not offer to take her away but leaves her to whatever disaster is about to happen.
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"Wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes,
His mansion and his titles in a place
From whence himself does fly? He loves us not;
He wants the natural touch: for the poor wren,
The most diminutive of birds, will fight,
Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.
All is the fear and nothing is the love;
As little is the wisdom, where the flight
So runs against all reason."
- Comment on the validity of Lady Macduff's outrage at her husband's decision to flee
Scotland. (5)
[Need help?]
There is a great deal of truth in Lady Macduff's words. Macduff does indeed know how dangerous it has
become for himself and his family.
Why then has he fled to England on his own? Surely he realises that Macbeth might wreak vengeance
on his wife and children -- and possibly in the most barbaric manner?
Why did he not at least take them with him? Even the most defenceless of birds does not flee the nest,
leaving its chicks to be killed.
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