Who Is Macduff A Foil In Macbeth

Improved Essays
Show More
As a man seeking vengeance and justice for his country, Macduff presents himself as Macbeth’s ultimate foil and greatest adversary. As someone who shares so many similarities and polar qualities, it is no wonder that Macduff would be Macbeth’s greatest foe. As one of the first people to notice the transparency of Macbeth’s innocence in the killing of King Duncan, Macduff presents himself as a determined, loyal, and brilliant noblemen of Scotland who will eventually defend his country against tyranny. By calling for the help of England to overthrow Macbeth, Macduff gives “faithful homage and… free honors” to the men of Scotland as he proves his loyalty to the homeland (3.6.36). Macduff even is presented as a spiritual foil of Macbeth when the

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The Theme Of Loss In Macbeth By William Shakespeare
    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Theme Of Loss In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

    This loss is the last straw for Macduff: he begs Heaven itself to bring him face-to-face with Macbeth, “within his sword’s length” so he can “kill the fiend of Scotland.” These heroic lines demonstrate how Macduff’s separation from his family gave him so much emotional courage that a strong passion for vindication was created, which forces him to inflict justice on the tyrant. This urge becomes so strong, that in act V, scene VII, Macduff declares that ” If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine, my wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.” His commitment to this task reveals just how much the loss of his family means to him, and its effect on his emotional…

    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Essay On Loss Of Honour In Macbeth
    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Essay On Loss Of Honour In Macbeth

    ``Beware MacDuff, Beware the Thane of Fife``. MacBeth becomes so obsessed with the idea that MacDuff will become a threat to him that he reacts in a way that guarantees he would become the threat he was working to prevent. MacBeth`s attack on the MacDuff family is done out of spite since MacDuff was out of his reach at the English court. This action leads to MacBeth creating the enemy he was trying to prevent. He gives MacDuff all the tools he needs to defeat MacBeth; a man who hates Macbeth, who is compelled to seek revenge, and who happens to be able to kill MacBeth as he was likely the only enemy MacBeth faced not born naturally of a woman ``I have no words: my voice is my sword, thou bloodier villain`` A line showing the hatred MacDuff felt for Macbeth. MacBeth's struggle with his certainty against the fate of the prophecy ensuring the prophecy came true leading to his own…

    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Macduff And Lady Macbeth
    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Macduff And Lady Macbeth

    In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth we see a heavily diverse group of characters that surround the protagonist Macbeth throughout the entire play. These characters symbolize the people that we will have to deal with in our everyday lives. The characters that we will come across our lives are Macbeth, Macduff, Banquo, and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is an example of a man whose life took a drastic change by some sort of event, Macduff was the well-rounded man of the play, Banquo is the one person that remains loyal and is full of wisdom, and Lady Macbeth is the deceit and peer pressure that society instills in us. If you were to ask someone what the traits of a man is the answers might not be the same, but the idea of a man would be pretty clear.…

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Weird Sisters In Macbeth
    • 201 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Weird Sisters In Macbeth

    This quote disrupts Macbeth’s trail of loyal thoughts as it leads him to find a way to overthrow the throne with the aid of Lady Macbeth. The Weird Sisters were able to manipulate Macbeth before the battle when the first apparition, which appeared from The Weird Sisters cauldron, announces, “Macbeth! beware Macduff; the thane of Fife.” (4.1). Macbeth is cautioned about Macduff, who is on his…

    • 201 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    The Importance Of Manhood In Macbeth
    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Importance Of Manhood In Macbeth

    Thus, the character Macduff voices Shakespeare’s true opinion as he obtains revenge on Macbeth while upholding chivalrous qualities. Prior to murdering King Duncan, Macbeth believes that manhood consists of a person who experiences success as well as accomplishments. After Lady Macbeth questions his masculinity, Macbeth replies, “I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none” (1.7.46-47). Macbeth will do…

    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Similarities Between Macbeth And Macduff
    • 49 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Similarities Between Macbeth And Macduff

    To sum it up, Macbeth has caused insanity while Macduff has conveyed resolution to the tumult that was influenced in Scotland. Furthermore, integrity has been compiled through the story and is accomplished through the personas of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff as a constitutive attribute, and an inimical one.…

    • 49 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Macbeth Vs Macduff Analysis
    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Macbeth Vs Macduff Analysis

    What you sow is what you reap; Macbeth, the main character in this play killed a major person in Scotland, He will therefore be punished later for his actions. This play The Tragedy of Macbeth is written by William Shakespeare, and is a tragedy describing a man believing the 3 witches’ prophecy, and goes insane to become and stay as a king. The many characters within this wreck reside in the Dark Middle Ages in mostly Scotland, but the two who relate, but also differ most are Macbeth and Macduff. They are both brave, and respected. At the same time Macbeth is self centered and a tyrant, while Macduff is loyal and virtuous.…

    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Macduff's Son In Macbeth By William Shakespeare
    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Macduff's Son In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

    Macduff’s son is a very minor character in the whole play of Macbeth. The young son, 10 years old, has had great memories with his father. The son keeps fond memories of playing with Macduff and learning many things from his father. Macduff’s prominence in the son’s life has caused kindheartedness and wisdom to pass down to his son. Because of this, the son consistently has a disparaging tone towards his mother when she speaks of Macduff being a traitor, even though he knows that it could possibly be true.…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Shakespeare's Use Of Tension And Suspense In Act 2 Of Macbeth
    • 877 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Shakespeare's Use Of Tension And Suspense In Act 2 Of Macbeth

    The listed passages from act 2 reveal that Macbeth is conflicted with murdering King Duncan. As time approaches for his opportunity to get the job done he witnesses the illusion of a dagger and wonders “Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feel as to sight? Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” The appearance of the dagger shows Macbeth battling with his consciousness- which tells him not to kill Duncan- until he succumbs to pressure.…

    • 877 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Role Of Justice In Macbeth
    • 304 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Role Of Justice In Macbeth

    He went to England to find Malcolm and to stop the Tyrant Macbeth. Macduff is really suspicious about Macbeth and helps Malcolm gather and English protest against Macbeth. After he hears the news about his wife and children being murdered from Ross, he gets mad states that he want's to fight Macbeth personally. He is so mad and wants to inflict justice on Macbeth, he goes to the castle and says that he will only kill Macbeth and none of his footsoldiers. Macduff defeats Macbeth in the end and sticks Macbeth’s head in the pole and parades it across the kingdom.…

    • 304 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Theme Of Honor In Macbeth
    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Theme Of Honor In Macbeth

    MacDuff’s honor and loyalty to Scotland are tested by Malcolm, it is clear that Macduff has a passionate love for his country and is deeply concerned with the values of the king. This is opposite of Macbeth who believes he is fit to be king despite his murdering, lying, and dishonor. Macbeth also lacks the ability to honor any life when he states that he will “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, / Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword /His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line. (4.1.166-174)…

    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Blood Is A Symbol Of Guilt In Macbeth
    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Blood Is A Symbol Of Guilt In Macbeth

    Will Gibert Honors Genre Studies November 12th, 2015 Blood Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a perfect example of theatrical tragedy. The viewer is instantly hooked with action as the play starts with battle in which Macbeth nearly slices his enemy's body in half to claim victory for his king. Macbeth starts at a high point, being a hero of war. Then play then takes a turn for the worse when Macbeth is given a prophecy from three witches stating that he would become king, and that his comrade, Banquo`s line would eventually seize the throne. From this moment on, murders are committed, tyranny rules over the land, and combat is inflicted; Macbeth rapidly declines from a noble man into a ruthless killer.…

    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Success In Macbeth And The Social Network
    • 1406 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Success In Macbeth And The Social Network

    Macduff states on page 93 Act 5 Scene 7. “If thou be’st slain and with no stroke of mine, my wife and children’s ghost will haunt me still.” This is basically saying that Macduff has to kill Macbeth so that he can get payback and avenge his wife and children after they were viciously murdered by…

    • 1406 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Sacrifice And Sacrifice In Macbeth
    • 1132 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sacrifice And Sacrifice In Macbeth

    Thou bloodier villain Than terms can give thee out!” Macduff wants to kill Macbeth and get over with it because he cannot stand to see that man who murdered all of his family and…

    • 1132 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Family Relationships And Marriage In Shakespeare's Macbeth
    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Family Relationships And Marriage In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    Family relationships and marriage is a big theme portrayed in Macbeth. Three main families and couples in this play are the Duncan family, Macbeth/Lady Macbeth, and Macduff/Lady Macduff. Duncan is the king of Scotland and has two son’s named Malcolm, who was the oldest, and Donalbain, who was the youngest. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were happily married and have one of the strongest marriages in Macbeth. Macduff and Lady Macduff were married and struggled in their marriage.…

    • 1077 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings