Macbeth: Scotsman Tried And True

Macduff: Scotsman Tried and True

Macbeth is one of the most popular plays ever, by William Shakespeare. The play focuses on the struggle of Macbeth to the position of king of Scotland, then his fall from the top. There is a very important character besides Macbeth in the play, though. His name is Macduff. Macduff is the one who eventually bring Macbeth down. Macduff is the most loyal Scotsman in all the play. He proves this by questioning Macbeth’s integrity, risking his family for the country to bring back Malcolm, and by eventually killing Macbeth.

In the early stages of the play, Macbeth has a gathering at his castle, Inverness. After much coercing by his wife, Macbeth kills the king Duncan, and is able to cover it up with help from Lady Macbeth. This is where Macduff makes is his appearance, coming to visit his king. However, he comes to find Duncan dead. Macduff first questions Macbeth’s idea as to why he killed the servants that Macbeth had framed. Macbeth was able to dance around the question however. Lastly, he shows question after Macbeth is named king. When his cousin Ross inquires if Macduff will be attending the coronation, Macduff coolly replies, “No, cousin, I’ll to Fife” (2.4.47). This is showing doubt in Macbeth because it is very rare that a Thane does not attend a coronation, so Macduff had to doubt that Macbeth had gained the crown without duplicity.

Macduff is also willing to risk his family for the well being of his country. This is much to the disdain of his wife however. She disapproves of Macduff leaving, saying:

Wisdom? To leave his wife, to leave his babes, his mansion, and his titles, in a place from whence himself does fly? He loves us not, he wants the natural touch. For the poor wren, (the most diminutive of birds) will fight, her young ones in her nest, against the owl. All is the fear, and nothing is the love, as little is the wisdom, where the flight so runs against all reason. (4.2.9-19)

Despite the disapproval of his wife, Macduff still leaves, which ends up in the murder of his wife and family and servants. That is real loyalty to Scotland. Macduff shows loyalty by recruiting the new king as well, Duncan’s son Malcolm, which is the primary reason Macduff leaves his family. Despite being tested by Malcolm about kingly virtues, Macduff proves that he is loyal. One of the most dramatic lines in the play is after Malcolm says that he has no virtues at all, and Macduff dramatically cries “O Scotland, Scotland!” (4.3.116). This