Act 4, Scene 3 – Macduff Wants Revenge
In England, Malcolm pretends to be bad to test Macduff’s loyalty.
Macduff goes to England to convince Malcolm to raise an army against Macbeth.
Malcolm doesn’t trust Macduff – this shows the fear and suspicion Macbeth’s created.
“Bestride our down-fall’n birthdom” – Theme: Loyalty
Macduff shows his loyalty to Scotland by going to England to support Malcolm even
thought his family is in danger.
“He hath not touched you yet”
Malcolm thinks that because Macduff’s family hasn’t been harmed he must support
Macbeth. This creates dramatic irony – the audience already knows that Macduff’s
family has been murdered.
“Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
Malcolm says that it is hard to tell who is good and who is evil. This echoes Duncan in
Act 1, Scene 4 (line 11-12).
“Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, yet grace must still look so” –
Theme: Kingship
Malcolm has learnt from Duncan’s mistakes – he doesn’t blindly trust the Thanes. This
caution suggests that he will be a better king than Duncan.
“Yet my poor country shall have more vices than in had before, more suffer, and more
sundry ways than ever” – Theme: Loyalty and Betrayal
Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty by claiming he will be a terrible king and Scotland would
be worse under his rule.
“Bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious” – Theme: Kingship
Malcolm describes the characteristics of Macbeth that makes him a bad king.
“Justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,
devotion, patience, courage, fortitude” – Theme: Kingship
Malcolm lists the virtues of a good king. Virtues such as ‘bounty’ (generosity) and
‘lowliness’ (modesty) are virtues that Duncan had.
“Had I power, I should pour the sweet milk of concord into hell” – Character: Malcolm
Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty by pretending to be more evil than Macbeth. Like
Macbeth, Malcolm tries to disguise his true nature – but he does it to protect Scotland,
rather than for his own gain.
“Fit to govern” – Character: Macduff
Macduff passes Malcolm’s test by proving that he’s loyal to Scotland and won’t support
another tyrant (Malcolm) to succeed Macbeth.
“The blames I laid upon myself, for strangers to my nature” – Theme: Kingship
Malcolm’s testing of Macduff shows he could be a better king than Duncan, who was too
trusting of those around him.
Malcolm tells Macduff that he is honest, grateful and god-fearing – good qualities for a
king. Malcolm’s loyalty to his country contrasts with Macbeth’s tyranny and betrayal.
In England, Malcolm pretends to be bad to test Macduff’s loyalty.
Macduff goes to England to convince Malcolm to raise an army against Macbeth.
Malcolm doesn’t trust Macduff – this shows the fear and suspicion Macbeth’s created.
“Bestride our down-fall’n birthdom” – Theme: Loyalty
Macduff shows his loyalty to Scotland by going to England to support Malcolm even
thought his family is in danger.
“He hath not touched you yet”
Malcolm thinks that because Macduff’s family hasn’t been harmed he must support
Macbeth. This creates dramatic irony – the audience already knows that Macduff’s
family has been murdered.
“Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
Malcolm says that it is hard to tell who is good and who is evil. This echoes Duncan in
Act 1, Scene 4 (line 11-12).
“Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, yet grace must still look so” –
Theme: Kingship
Malcolm has learnt from Duncan’s mistakes – he doesn’t blindly trust the Thanes. This
caution suggests that he will be a better king than Duncan.
“Yet my poor country shall have more vices than in had before, more suffer, and more
sundry ways than ever” – Theme: Loyalty and Betrayal
Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty by claiming he will be a terrible king and Scotland would
be worse under his rule.
“Bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious” – Theme: Kingship
Malcolm describes the characteristics of Macbeth that makes him a bad king.
“Justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,
devotion, patience, courage, fortitude” – Theme: Kingship
Malcolm lists the virtues of a good king. Virtues such as ‘bounty’ (generosity) and
‘lowliness’ (modesty) are virtues that Duncan had.
“Had I power, I should pour the sweet milk of concord into hell” – Character: Malcolm
Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty by pretending to be more evil than Macbeth. Like
Macbeth, Malcolm tries to disguise his true nature – but he does it to protect Scotland,
rather than for his own gain.
“Fit to govern” – Character: Macduff
Macduff passes Malcolm’s test by proving that he’s loyal to Scotland and won’t support
another tyrant (Malcolm) to succeed Macbeth.
“The blames I laid upon myself, for strangers to my nature” – Theme: Kingship
Malcolm’s testing of Macduff shows he could be a better king than Duncan, who was too
trusting of those around him.
Malcolm tells Macduff that he is honest, grateful and god-fearing – good qualities for a
king. Malcolm’s loyalty to his country contrasts with Macbeth’s tyranny and betrayal.
