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READ THIS
The story moves to England -- to the palace of King Edward the Confessor. The forces against Macbeth
are mounting, to be led by Macduff and Malcolm.
Yet Malcolm feels he cannot trust anyone. As a result, a bitter suspicion develops which Macduff does
his best to conquer. Word then arrives that Macduff's wife and children have been murdered by Macbeth.
THE OPPOSITION GATHERS
For the first time, the audience is transported from Scotland and away from Macbeth. We journey to
England and the court of Edward the Confessor -- a king known for his sanctity and powers of healing.
Macduff has arrived. He meets up with Malcolm -- the late King Duncan's son and appointed heir to the
Scottish throne. Macduff wishes to spur on Malcolm to lead an army against the tyrant.
Malcolm, however, is suspicious. Macbeth has so many men in his pay that it is possible Macduff is
simply another of them -- come to England to assassinate him.
Macduff understandably becomes deeply frustrated at Malcolm's negative comments until he loses his
temper. Only then does Malcolm accept Macduff's loyalty.
In the meantime, Ross brings news of the murder of Macduff's wife and children. After an initial outburst
of guilt and sorrow, Macduff uses the tidings to steel his own will against Macbeth.
The scene, although a slow-moving one, is nevertheless necessary to allow us to witness the growing
opposition to Macbeth.
The liberation of Scotland, when it happens, will of course be led by Macduff -- about whom the witches
have already warned Macbeth in their usual equivocal way.
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:
The opening lines of this scene contrasts the attitudes of Malcolm and Macduff.
- Explain this contrast. (6)
[Need help?]
Malcolm is deeply suspicious of Macduff. He does not know whom he can trust.
He perceives the turmoil in Scotland in a negative manner, from the point of anger as one who has already
lost someone dear to him.
Macduff, on the other hand, has come to England to attempt to gain support to overthrow Macbeth. He
has therefore positive action in mind.
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- Why does Malcolm present such a negative image of himself to Macduff? (4)
[Need help?]
Essentially Malcolm does not trust Macduff. Why should he?
He is deeply suspicious that any messenger arriving from Scotland must be a possible assassin from
Macbeth.
The fact that Macduff has left behind his wife and children must also point to his collusion with Macbeth:
would he truly have left them had he not been in Macbeth's inner circle and therefore trusted Macbeth not
to harm them?
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"Each new morn
New widows howl, new orphans cry."
- Comment on the irony of these words. (3)
[Need help?]
The irony is that this is precisely what has happened to Macduff.
Knowing of the destruction being wrought in Scotland, Macduff nevertheless left his own wife and children
to the mercy of the vengeful Macbeth.
Although he does not yet know it, they have been slaughtered and he himself is a widower.
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"You have loved him well.
He hath not touch'd you yet."
- Explain the dramatic irony in Malcolm's words. (6)
[Need help?]
It should be quite clear to the audience that Macduff has never loved Macbeth.
He did not attend the function at which Duncan was Macbeth's guest; he avoided the coronation
ceremony at Scone; he boycotted the ceremony during which the ghost of Banquo appeared.
The audience knows too that Macbeth has indeed already touched Macduff by murdering his wife, children
and servants.
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The king of England is presented as the absolute opposite of Macbeth.
- In what way is this indicated? (4)
[Need help?]
Macbeth is presented as a tyrant and a murderer from whom nobody is safe.
The English king, on the other hand, is presented as a holy man and a healer who merely has to stretch
out his hand for illnesses to be driven from people.
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When Ross breaks the news to Macduff that his wife and children have been murdered, how does
Macduff receive the news? (4)
[Need help?]
Macduff is initially struck down with the horror of it. After all, he knows that he deserted them.
He therefore suffers more than just the pain of loss -- he also has the guilt that he might have saved
them.
Later he steels himself and swears revenge on Macbeth.
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What is the purpose of this scene? (6)
[Need help?]
This is a long scene whose chief purpose is to tie up many threads.
We find Macduff in touch with Malcolm to gather forces against Macbeth. We witness Macduff's reaction
to the murder of his wife. We are presented with a kind and holy English king who will lend them soldiers
to bring the tyrant to book.
It is a lengthy interlude to introduce the beginning of the challenge to Macbeth.
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