The Macduffs

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Macduff is honest and sincere...

Macduff is a nobleman

He's honest and has integrity, so he acts as a contrast to Macbeth

He discovers Duncan's murder and is horrified by it

Macduff doesn't go to Macbeth's coronation

Suggests he is suspicious of Macbeth

Macduff has a strong sense of loyalty and love for his country

He doesn't like how Macbeth rules, so he goes to England to persuade Malcolm to help - he exclaims "O Scotland, Scotland!" which reflects his emotional turmoil about the state of his country

Macduff is brave

Fights and kills Macbeth, freeing Scotland from "the tyrant"

Writer's Technique - Irony

Macduff is angry that, under Macbeth's rule, "New widows howl, new orphans cry"

This is ironic, as his wife and children have just been murdered

Macduff is...

Noble: "this noble passion/Child of intergrity"

A soldier: "I have no words/My voice is in my sword"

Emotional: "I must also feel it as a man"

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...but puts his country before his family

Macduff makes a mistake by going to England, leaving his wife and children unprotected

His decision shows his strong sense of justice, but also his lack of "wisdom"

When he finds out that Macbeth has had them murdered, he is overcome with grief

His reaction shows his disbelief: "All my pretty ones?/Did you say all?"

In contrast with the other men who see emotions as a sign of weakness, Macduff says that he will "feel" his grief "as a man"

This shows that he sees the ability to show emotion as an important part of his masculinity

Macduff kills Macbeth both to put the rightful heir on the throne and to avenge his family

He thinks that his wife and children will "haunt" him until he kills Macbeth

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Lady Macduff can't understand her husband's actions

When Macduff goes to England, Lady Macduff says that he lacks "the natural touch"

She thinks his behaviour shows a lack of fatherly love

Lady Macduff shows courage as she comforts her son, calling him "Poor bird"

Her love and affection for him are clear

They speak in prose, which makes the scene feel natural and homely - makes the murders even more shocking and horrible

Theme - Good and Evil

Lady Macduff's goodness and caring behaviour towards her son contrast with Lady Macbeth's unnatural, evil desires - says she'd kill her baby to get what she wants