Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Just after Macduff hears his family has been murdered in Macbeth he says, "And I must be from thence!" (IV.iii.212) Explain Macduff's priorities,...

Macduff's initial reaction to the brutal killing of his
family members is human, personal and emotional and full of pathos, as opposed to a
vengeful and heroic reaction. When Malcolm tells him to 'dispute' it like a man, he
strongly answers back--"I shall do so;/But I must also feel it as a
man".


While articulating the grief of bereavements, Macduff
also raises the issue of divine justice. He wonders how Macbeth was allowed to do such a
sinful act despite God.


After a while, he does respond to
the call of Malcolm and arranges himself, preparing for a battle of revenge against the
evil Macbeth. In this pronouncement, the private and the public, the familial and the
national agenda get mingled. Macduff ends with a heroic articulation--"...if he 'scape,/
Heaven forgive him too!"

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