Act 4, Scene 2 – Lady Macduff is Murdered
Lady Macduff and her children are killed by murderers that have been sent by Macbeth.
“What had he done, to make him fly the land” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Shakespeare starts the scene mid-dialogue. This highlights the confusion that Lady
Macduff feels about her husband leaving.
“From whence himself does fly?” – Theme: Loyalty and Betrayal
Lady Macduff feels betrayed, scared and angry because Macduff has abandoned his
family to go to England and left her to protect their castle and children. This suggests
that he may be more loyal to his country than to his family.
“For the poor wren…will fight…against the owl” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lady Macduff compares herself to a ‘wren’, a tiny, powerless bird, protecting her nest
from an owl (Macbeth). This reminds the audience of the imagery of the owl killing the
falcon in Act 2, Scene 4 and shows that Macbeth is now killing defenceless ‘prey’.
“All is fear”
Her fear shows how afraid people are under Macbeth’s rule and how the morals of
Scotland have been turned upside down by Macbeth’s tyranny.
“Thou speak’st will all thy wit” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lady Macduff and her son share some jokes – their relationship shows their maternal
bond as it seems loving and close. This contrasts with how Lady Macbeth claims show
would have ‘dashed the brains out’ of her own child.
“I doubt some danger does approach you nearly” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
A messenger tells Lady Macduff that she is in danger. This increases the urgency of the
scene.
“I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometimes
accounted dangerous folly” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lady Macduff understands that Scotland is in turmoil – her words echo the Witches in
Act 1, Scene 1 (line 11).
“Thou liest, thou shag-haired villain” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macduff’s son’s final words foreshadows Young Siward’s final words in Act 5, Scene 7.
“What you egg! Young fry of treachery!” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The murderer enters and stabs Macduff’s son – it’s made even more brutal by the
murderer calling him ‘egg’ and ‘fry’, which highlights how young he is and shows that
Macbeth is willing to kill defenceless children. It also shows that he’s too cowardly to
commit the murders himself.
The murder of Macduff’s son happens on stage – this symbolises the fact that Macbeth
no long cares if people see his terrible crimes.
Lady Macduff and her children are killed by murderers that have been sent by Macbeth.
“What had he done, to make him fly the land” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Shakespeare starts the scene mid-dialogue. This highlights the confusion that Lady
Macduff feels about her husband leaving.
“From whence himself does fly?” – Theme: Loyalty and Betrayal
Lady Macduff feels betrayed, scared and angry because Macduff has abandoned his
family to go to England and left her to protect their castle and children. This suggests
that he may be more loyal to his country than to his family.
“For the poor wren…will fight…against the owl” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lady Macduff compares herself to a ‘wren’, a tiny, powerless bird, protecting her nest
from an owl (Macbeth). This reminds the audience of the imagery of the owl killing the
falcon in Act 2, Scene 4 and shows that Macbeth is now killing defenceless ‘prey’.
“All is fear”
Her fear shows how afraid people are under Macbeth’s rule and how the morals of
Scotland have been turned upside down by Macbeth’s tyranny.
“Thou speak’st will all thy wit” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lady Macduff and her son share some jokes – their relationship shows their maternal
bond as it seems loving and close. This contrasts with how Lady Macbeth claims show
would have ‘dashed the brains out’ of her own child.
“I doubt some danger does approach you nearly” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
A messenger tells Lady Macduff that she is in danger. This increases the urgency of the
scene.
“I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometimes
accounted dangerous folly” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lady Macduff understands that Scotland is in turmoil – her words echo the Witches in
Act 1, Scene 1 (line 11).
“Thou liest, thou shag-haired villain” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macduff’s son’s final words foreshadows Young Siward’s final words in Act 5, Scene 7.
“What you egg! Young fry of treachery!” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The murderer enters and stabs Macduff’s son – it’s made even more brutal by the
murderer calling him ‘egg’ and ‘fry’, which highlights how young he is and shows that
Macbeth is willing to kill defenceless children. It also shows that he’s too cowardly to
commit the murders himself.
The murder of Macduff’s son happens on stage – this symbolises the fact that Macbeth
no long cares if people see his terrible crimes.
