Key Quotations
Macduff
Function / purpose in the play: Macduff functions
as the antagonist and avenging hero.
Points to be made i.e. Analysis of
Quote about how a character or language, devices Links to context
theme is presented and structure
‘Most Sacrilegious murder hath Macduff is presented as The emotive adjective Links to the idea of the
broke’ having an extreme and ‘sacrilegious’ makes clear the Divine Right of Kings and
emotional reaction to the devilish nature of the deed how the King was God’s
murder of King Duncan. further propounded by the regent upon Earth.
superlative ‘most’ which
conveys the horrific extent of
this devilish deed.
‘From his mother’s womb / Macduff is utilised as the This declarative delivered by Shakespeare uses this
Untimely ripped’ avenging hero that will restore Macduff is written in the 3rd reference and prediction to
order and uphold the person perhaps adding a sense highlight the dangers of the
predictions that the Witches of gravitas and possibly Witches and link to the
have foretold. reminding the audience of the beliefs of King James I who
Witches prophecies when encouraged people to be
Macduff was to ‘beware condemned for witchcraft.
Macduff’.
‘Of horrid hell can come a devil Macduff’s reaction to The use of the alliteration This is a biblical reference to
more damn’d’ Macbeth highlights his ‘horrid hell’ heightens the the ‘Great Chain of Being’.
contempt and condemnation impact of the heat in hell This reference shows that
for the barbarous actions of perhaps capturing the Macduff sees Macbeth at the
Macbeth. The strength of his uncomfortable and horrific bottom of the ‘Great Chain of
abhorrence exposes his view dictatorship of Macbeth. It Being’ in the same position as
of Macbeth and the impact also reminds the Jacobean the Devil.
that Macbeth has had upon audience of Macduff’s
the health of Scotland. children being ‘savagely
slaughtered’ by Macbeth
revealing that Macbeth is a
key disrupter of nature.
‘I am not treacherous’ The strength of the statement The simple declarative The reference to ‘treachery’
reveals that Macduff is a foil combined with the adjective exposes that Macbeth’s
for Macbeth and does not ‘treacherous’ dichotomises actions have been in
occupy the same facets of Macduff, the avenging hero, opposition to the King and
character. with Macbeth, the Macduff is law abiding and
eponymous hero. law.
Macduff
Function / purpose in the play: Macduff functions
as the antagonist and avenging hero.
Points to be made i.e. Analysis of
Quote about how a character or language, devices Links to context
theme is presented and structure
‘Most Sacrilegious murder hath Macduff is presented as The emotive adjective Links to the idea of the
broke’ having an extreme and ‘sacrilegious’ makes clear the Divine Right of Kings and
emotional reaction to the devilish nature of the deed how the King was God’s
murder of King Duncan. further propounded by the regent upon Earth.
superlative ‘most’ which
conveys the horrific extent of
this devilish deed.
‘From his mother’s womb / Macduff is utilised as the This declarative delivered by Shakespeare uses this
Untimely ripped’ avenging hero that will restore Macduff is written in the 3rd reference and prediction to
order and uphold the person perhaps adding a sense highlight the dangers of the
predictions that the Witches of gravitas and possibly Witches and link to the
have foretold. reminding the audience of the beliefs of King James I who
Witches prophecies when encouraged people to be
Macduff was to ‘beware condemned for witchcraft.
Macduff’.
‘Of horrid hell can come a devil Macduff’s reaction to The use of the alliteration This is a biblical reference to
more damn’d’ Macbeth highlights his ‘horrid hell’ heightens the the ‘Great Chain of Being’.
contempt and condemnation impact of the heat in hell This reference shows that
for the barbarous actions of perhaps capturing the Macduff sees Macbeth at the
Macbeth. The strength of his uncomfortable and horrific bottom of the ‘Great Chain of
abhorrence exposes his view dictatorship of Macbeth. It Being’ in the same position as
of Macbeth and the impact also reminds the Jacobean the Devil.
that Macbeth has had upon audience of Macduff’s
the health of Scotland. children being ‘savagely
slaughtered’ by Macbeth
revealing that Macbeth is a
key disrupter of nature.
‘I am not treacherous’ The strength of the statement The simple declarative The reference to ‘treachery’
reveals that Macduff is a foil combined with the adjective exposes that Macbeth’s
for Macbeth and does not ‘treacherous’ dichotomises actions have been in
occupy the same facets of Macduff, the avenging hero, opposition to the King and
character. with Macbeth, the Macduff is law abiding and
eponymous hero. law.
