Preview

Macbeth vs macduff

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
604 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Macbeth vs macduff
In the play of Macbeth, Shakespeare adds similar themes to each of the characters; Macduff and Macbeth are no exception. Even though Macbeth and Macduff may have very similar qualities such as; bravery, hunger of power, and many more, as the play develops, these characters slowly start to change, revealing that both characters are as different as fire and ice. They are each viewed differently from each other and by others. Even though they both murder, they both do it for different very different reasons, Macbeth kills for greed and selfishness whereas Macduff kills Macbeth to avenge his slaughtered family and to protect the country. Macbeth was indeed a true tragic hero. He had many noble qualities as well as several tragic flaws, but this didn’t mean he wasn’t a courageous, brave and a good nobleman who was sadly haunted by superstition and a selfish ambition. Through the play, his flaws start to overcome his qualities to the point where they cannot be seen in him anymore. This major change starts right after he commits the murder of Duncan. Here Macbeth's personality is clearly becoming astray. Macbeth's theme becomes tyrannical and evil, completely opposite as in the start of the play. Macduff was never a man of many words but he was an honest man, and because of this everyone listened when he spoke. We first see Macduff’s honesty as he expresses his raw grief at the King's murder: "O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart/ Cannot conceive nor name thee! (act 2, scene 3). His grief is so much that not even the king's own son appears to mourn the loss of the king, as much as Macduff. But not even grief was enough to keep this man from paying attention to his surroundings. He is so noble that he was only one who dared to ask why Macbeth killed the guards senselessly. Instead of wasting time on his suspicions, he decides to leave for England. Most might think that this is a cowardly act, but this is actually a brave act which was intended to aid

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Written by William Shakespeare, Macbeth, is a well known tragedy based on the influence of greed. The main character, Macbeth, is described to be a greedy, selfish, cowardly man, and as the story continues, Macbeth portrays these traits as he fights for the crown. As the last scene comes to an end, and Macbeth falls, I see Macbeth’s death to be a good thing; Because he did not rightfully get the crown, he simply stole it from others. Satisfaction came with Macbeth’s downfall as well, I did not believe he was a great man nor did I believe that his fall was the death of a heroic man. However; as I make that statement, I agree with the beliefs that Macbeth is seen as a tragic hero. Though this seems like a contradiction to my previous statement, the true definition of tragic hero, as described by Shakespeare himself, is portrayed and seen by Macbeth in this tragedy.…

    • 544 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the story of Macbeth, Macbeth killed Duncan and Banquo because he was selfish and wanted to be king because of his wife punking him and his meeting with the witches. Macduff is the smart one out of everyone in the story He took his suspicious and ran with it to get answers unlike everyone else after the death of the king. He left on a courageous note to Scotland when he realizes abnormal things are happening with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's behavior. He does not go because he is a coward he just wants to help Malcolm ,Banquo son, who left out of the clear blue as soon as his father had passed away.…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In act 4 scene 2 Macduff leaves his house and his whole family alone so he can talk to Malcolm and plan his attack on Macbeth. “You know not whether it was his wisdom or his fear.” This quote shows how Lady Macduff and Ross were not told that he would leave or why he would leave. In act 4 scene 3 Macduff goes to Malcolm tries to convince him to attack Macbeth and to go against the new government lead by Macbeth. “This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest. You have loved him well” This quote shows how even though Malcolm knows Macbeth is a tyrant, he says since Macbeth has done nothing wrong to him, he should not do anything to Macbeth. These are some more of the reasons why Macduff is a…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is extremely well known and has been read and told for many years. Macbeth’s characteristics are very distinct, although they change throughout the course of the play. It is Macbeth who makes the story compelling and interesting. He is the protagonist in the play, but along with this, he also has a huge flaw, which results in the turn of events in the story. Macbeth is a tragic hero; a character that suffers from a terrible imperfection and ends up defeated.…

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth: A Tragic Hero

    • 106 Words
    • 1 Page

    Even now knowing that MacDuff and an entire army is on their way to storm his castle, Macbeth refuses to flee. Soon you will find out what will happen to Macbeth and what his downfall will be. “Why should I play the roman fool and die on mine own sword?” (V. VIII.1-2) this means that Macbeth is saying was the point in me fighting Macduff because he already killed his whole family why would MacDuff be any more different. In a turn of events MacDuff kills and beheading Macbeth in order to end his rule as king and get revenge for Macbeth having his family…

    • 106 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the play “Macbeth”, Macbeth is a dear friend to Macduff until he kills his entire family. “Why should I play the Roman fool and die mine own sword? Whiles I see lives, the gashes do better upon them.” This translates to, why should I commit suicide like one of the ancient romans? As long as I see enemies of mine alive, I would rather see my sword wound them than me. Macbeth pretended to be his friend throughout the whole play just so that he could later kill him because of the fact that Macbeth wanted the throne all to himself. His mind was set to destroy anyone and anything that threatened his…

    • 533 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Macduff’s didn’t have an ambition at first until Macbeth murdered his family. Macbeth's murdering Macduff's family brings out Macduff's ambition, the ambition to avenge his wife and son, along with the ambition of bringing the justice back to his country and kinsmen. When Macbeth murdered King Duncan to gain the crown, Scotland suffered enormously of political chaises and especially Macduff, who lost his entire family, decided to overthrown Macbeth. But the ambition existed in Macduff is the good kind of ambition, which caused him to developed reasonable motives and not go against his nature.…

    • 94 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth goes through many changes in this play, including some that affect the outcome in the end. In the very beginning of the play we see Macbeth is a brave and successful warrior which is explained by the Captain to Duncan in (l, ii). He is quoted as hard working and trustworthy. We see this positive side in him until Lady Macbeth starts to talk to him about killing the king. He is then also corrupted by the witches’ prophecies.…

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the play Macbeth, ultimately there is one protagonist and one antagonist. In the beginning these two are very similar in many aspects including rank, leadership, beliefs, and loyalties. But at the story continues. It reveals these two characters are as different as night from day. Macbeth and Macduff were high-ranking generals in the Scottish army and were both loved and respected greatly by the King. The King even appointed Macbeth to become the Thane of Cawdor, a rank very similar to a prince not related by blood. Macbeth won many battles and Macduff did also. But when Macbeth was promised by three witches to become King, he took his destiny into his own hands and attempted…

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth practice essay

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Macbeth may be a tragic-hero because he matches Aristotle's definition for a tragic-hero. Macbeth is a courageous man with high rank, as he is the Than of Glamis and Duncan's cousin. He also has many good qualities such as being brave and loyal to the King. In the play he is loved by many people, especially Banquo and the King. Unfortunately for Macbeth and the kingdom he has a downfall. His downfall is his over-ambition and impatience. This flaw triggers his downfall morally and physically. When Macbeth murdered King Duncan he lost sight of what his morals where and what he stood for. Macbeth has his physical downfall when he is murdered by Macduff. This tragic end may be able to make the audience feel pity and fear. You can find yourself sympathizing with Macbeth because he was forced to commit the crimes due to the spell the witches had created and the pressure from Lady Macbeth. The audience may also be afraid to face the same destiny, as they believe in superstitions.…

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macduff helps develop the theme of evil and supernatural. His actions towards Macbeth and his name being mentioned as a threat in the second set of prophecies make Macbeth commit one of his darkest deeds. This action shows evil because Macbeth sends assassins to an unguarded castle to kill many innocent people including Macduff’s family. Macduff helps to develop the theme of loyalty and patriotism. He does so by going to England to get the true heir Malcolm and military allies to free Scotland of Macbeth. Finally, Macduff shows guilt for leaving his family after finding out that Macbeth slaughtered his family. He…

    • 870 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    We see lady Macduff first time in act 4 scene 2 talking with her cousin Ross a high ranking nobleman. She is angry with her husband for fleeing the land without them as can be inferred from lines 8-16. She feels that he has left them in mortal danger. Thus we know that the overriding emotion she experiences is fear. The fact that he ran away without any obvious reason scares her more. The audience already knows through Macbeths words- the castle of Macduff I will surprise..,give to the edge of sword his wifes, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line (act4 sc1 171-174) that he is going to massacre Lady Macduff and her children. We come to know a lot about this woman through the company of people that Shakespeare places with her. First of all we have Ross who clearly as her cousin does her the honor of visiting her and comforting her. His replies to all of her questions are short and terse. They do not give any new information but do the task of soothing her feelings. His words in lines 25-30 I take my leave of youTo what they were before.-My pretty cousin, Blessing upon you…

    • 1564 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth is a very complex character. His personality changes drastically from the beginning of the play to the end of the play. Macbeth constantly declines in his level of morality until his death at the end of the play. His change of character from good to evil and Macbeth 's attitude towards other characters, specifically Duncan, Banquo, Lady…

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth Vs Macduff Essay

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Men usually take charge in situations in a way that may seem more bold and courageous no matter the circumstance. Macbeth may express a sense of bravery through his actions with no thought of remorse of reconsideration. Is this the true meaning of being a man? Macduff may contradict this belief because of the way he acts upon situations he endures. After the tragic loss of his family due to the orders from Macbeth, Macduff manages to stay as strong as he could about the situation. The thought of murder never occurred to him until the devastating episode he experienced. Before this, Macduff was more cool-headed than aggressive in his actions. Some may believe this is the true form of maturity. There is no doubt that being a man means being mature and reasonable at the same time. Macduff and Macbeth’s main difference is their level of maturity and sense of remorse. Macduff acts upon situations in the way that should be done. Macbeth acts the way he pleases and listens to his evil mind when it comes to finalizing situations that could’ve been acted upon in a more justified…

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and emotionally intense plays. Shakespeare created several interesting characters, and Macbeth and Macduff are two of those characters. Though Macbeth and Macduff seem very different, they actually have several things in common. Macbeth is very power hungry to where Macduff is as well, but isn’t a heathen about it and puts the people of his sovereign first.…

    • 376 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays