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