why does macbeth kill macduff's family
Since killing King Duncan and assuming the throne, Macbeth has become increasingly consumed with power and arrogance. - None of the murders which Macbeth commits can really be justified; however, at least one could argue that King Therefore, Macbeth begins preparations for war, knowing it is the only way to retain his throne. Macduff poses a threat to Macbeth because he is working with Duncan’s son to raise an army to defeat the king. Macbeth’s decision in executing Macduff’s family was for his own benefit, committing an offense where murdering the Macduff clan after killing Macduff his life wouldn’t at any risk. When Macduff was absent from Macbeth’s inauguration, Macbeth grew suspicious of him and decided to make a strong point by murdering Macduff’s family. In Act IV, Scene III, when Macduff learns of his family's slaughter, he reacts with sorrow and grief. Macbeth then receives two more prophecies that influence him to become an overconfident, fearless tyrant. At this point in the play, Macbeth has developed into a bloodthirsty, callous ruler who is determined to vanquish his enemies. Relevance. 1, Lines 150-153: Why does Macbeth decide to kill Macduff's family? Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family and servants killed? Macduff leaves Scotland for England to prod Duncan's son, Malcolm III of Scotland, into taking the Scottish throne by force. How does Macduff know Macbeth killed his family? Macbeth says, "It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. • Macbeth might think the prophesy that Banquo descendant will rule Scotland can become true if Macduff joins forces with others against him, and Fleance, becoming king. Just a little later in that scene, however, Lennox tells Macbeth that "Macduff is fled to England" (line 158), which further angers Macbeth because he missed the opportunity to kill Macduff in Scotland, and now Macduff is out of reach in England. He talks about the grief that "does not speak," and states that his heart is breaking. Macbeth never clearly states his reasons for killing Macduff's wife and children in Shakespeare's Macbeth. What does Lady Macbeth mean by the line "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it"? However, Macduff survives; he is in England attempting to convince Malcolm to challenge Macbeth. When Macbeth calls upon his nobles to contribute to the construction of Dunsinane castle, Macduff avoids the summons, arousing Macbeth's suspicions. Log in here. This also illustrates his ruthlessness. Act IV Scene II - Macbeth's decision to murder Macduff's family seems to have been made in extreme fear and haste. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. Men and women that stand up and take charge and are moral leaders of countries. The reason for the murder of his wife and children was to clear the bloodline. 8. https://www.enotes.com/topics/macbeth/act-summaries/act-iv, https://www.enotes.com/topics/macbeth/characters. When Ross appears with news of the slaughter of Macduff's family, Macduff is finally convinced not only to engage in the rebel army but also to take personal revenge upon Macbeth. 2 pages, 665 words. Why does Macbeth decide to kill Macduff's family? Instead of traveling to Scone and demonstrating his loyalty to Macbeth, Macduff travels to Fife. Macbeth has Macduff's family murdered because he believes Macduff is a threat to his throne. Macduff tells Ross that instead of going to Macbeth's coronation, he's going back to his own castle at Fife, no doubt to look after his own affairs and to prepare for whatever Macbeth might have planned for him. Along with the things previously said. Macbeth resolves to have the Macduffs murdered at the end of Act 4 scene 1 (after being warned by the witches to "beware Macduff"). Macduff betrayed his wife and child/family by leaving them and fleeing to England. Top subjects are Literature and Law and Politics. Macbeth decides that he must kill Macduff and his whole family as punishment for his betrayal. So he betrayed his wife and child when he left them for dead. B.A. This leads Macbeth to his fateful decision to attack Macduff's castle, to "give to the edge o' the sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line" (lines 168–170), before any more time passes and "before this purpose cool" (line 171). Shortly after assassinating King Duncan, Macbeth successfully usurps the throne and holds his coronation at Scone, where he will officially be crowned King of Scotland. Moreover, Macduff refuses Macbeth's invitation to the banquet , and fearlessly sets off to ask for England's help to aid Malcolm, as we learn from a Lord . 14. However, the audience can surmise from the context in which the murders occur that Macbeth fears Macduff as an enemy and that Macbeth wants to kill Macduff for the same reasons that Macbeth had Banquo murdered. Are you a teacher? Answer Save. In act 4, scene 1, an apparition conjured up by the witches tells Macbeth to "beware Macduff; / Beware the Thane of Fife" (lines 79–80). The murder takes place in Act 4 scene 2. Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family and servants killed? By massacring Macduff's family, Macbeth is baiting him to come back to Scotland, where Macbeth plans to defeat Macduff in hand-to-hand combat. Favorite Answer. Where has Macduff gone, and how will Macbeth revenge himself against Macduff? Macduff is loyal to King Duncan, even after he is murdered. 6. Macbeth has Macduff's family and servants murdered because he believes them to be disloyal. Already a member? He is so fearful of losing his crown that he will do anything to protect it. Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so." Macbeth immediately sends murderers to Macduff's castle to do what Macbeth said he intended to do, which was to kill Macduff's wife and all of his children. In the play Macbeth, who kills Macduff's wife and child? Consistent with Macbeth's firmness of purpose and his intent to attack Macduff's castle without delay, Shakespeare wastes no time in presenting that horrific scene to the audience in act 4, scene 2. The first murder to take place in Macbeth is the Thane of Cawdor's. When Macbeth sends word that he wants to speak to Macduff, he is rebuffed “with an absolute ‘Sir, not I!’” It is clear to the king that he cannot rely on Macduff’s loyalty. Now, he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his crown—even if that means more murders. The witches also tell him to 'beware Macduff' when he … Macduff suspects that Macbeth played a role in Duncan's murder and expresses his contempt by refusing to attend Macbeth's coronation. In act 2, scene 4, Macduff makes his suspicions about Macbeth known to Ross. Why has Ross come to Malcolm and Macduff in England? Why does Lady Macduff's son say liars and swearers are fools? eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. There is no rational behind his decision to kill Macduff's family. In Macbeth’s mind he did not want to lose the crown to anyone in Macduff’s family and the massacre would also send a strong message not to oppose him. Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. Lady Macbeth helps him plant the bloody daggers on Duncan's drunken guards. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Macbeth does not kill MacduffActually it is the other way around. Macbeth also desires to upset and emotionally ruin Macduff, who is his primary opponent. In determining which threats to heedbecomes enthralled with all of the ideas thatgive to him, believing that all of the their prophetic warnings will come true. Why does Macbeth decide to kill Macduff’s family? We’ve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for COVID-19 relief—Join Now! What do you suppose he means by that? Lines 144-156 a. He loves Scotland and puts his family at risk to help raise an army to topple Macbeth’s tyrannical rule. Malcolm thinks Macduff may be working for Macbeth, because the two were once friends. There is also a possible bit of resentment toward Macduff because he was able to do one of the basic primal objectives in life, reproduce. He is not the same honorable person he was when in the king’s service. Therefore, the murderers kill Macduff’s wife and children. 9. Macbeth resolves to send murderers to capture Macduff’s castle and to kill Macduff’s wife and children. What page does macbeth kill macduff's family. Macbeth then has Macduff’s family murdered. why does macbeth kill macduff and family. Macbeth chooses to have Macduffs family killed so that he may seize the Macduff castle for his own. Why Did Macbeth Kill Macduff's Family Asdescends into insanity he becomes utterly obsessed with eliminating any threats to his power. In act 4, scene 1, Macbeth visits the Three Witches to learn more about his future, and the first apparition warns him to beware of Macduff. While at the banquet, Banquo's ghost enters and sits in Macbeth's place. It would be as easy, Macbeth says, to make a cut ("impress with thy keen sword the. 7. • Why does Macbeth kill Macduff's wife and children? In the other hand, Macbeth decides to kill Macbeth family because his child represents a threat. Macbeth resolves not to hesitate when he decides something must be done but to do it immediately. Although he views Macduff as a threat, Macbeth believes that Macduff is not capable of defeating him. Macbeth kills his wife and young family. Duncan does not previously plan to kill the Thane, but with the information of the war given to him, he says, "No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/ our bosom interest: go, pronounce his present death, / and with his former title greet Macbeth" (I, ii). In act 4, scene 2, Macbeth hires assassins to murder Macduff and his entire family. The killing of his family caused Macduff to risk his life to get his revenge against Macbeth. He reports, relunctantly, that Macduff’s family and servants have been slaughtered. One reason Macbeth slaughters Macduff's family is to send a message to his political enemies. ©2021 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Last Updated by eNotes Editorial on December 22, 2020, Last Updated by eNotes Editorial on April 2, 2020. It is known that Macduff has traveled to England to meet with Malcolm. Macbeth already has concerns about Macduff, but before Macbeth can question the apparition further about Macduff, it disappears. Macbeth is offended by Macduff's decision to go to Fife and begins viewing him as a political enemy. He loves Scotland and puts his family at risk to help raise an army to topple Macbeth's tyrannical rule. Miles Love Period 6 Macbeth doesn’t want to take any chances to Macduff ruling and taking his position as king, so killing his entire family would ensure that (in Macbeth’s perspective). ishbac40. The first is an armed head that warns Macbeth to beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff). A second apparition appears and tells him "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth" (lines 90–91), which Macbeth interprets to mean that no one, including Macduff, can harm him or imperil his throne. from West Virginia State University Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University, Top subjects are Literature, History, and Science. Your IP: 174.138.41.150 2 Answers. When Macbeth asks the witches about Banquo’s descendants the cauldron disappears & eight ghost like images of future kings pass Macbeth. He also feels guilty; he thinks his family was killed because of his actions, not their … I'm doing an three... Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family murdered? How does Macbeth's character change throughout the course of the play? Macbeth arranges for murderers to kill Macduff’s wife and children, after Macduff has already fled to England to seek help from the king for his cause against Macbeth. Macduff is thrown into a fit of anger against the "untitled tyrant" Macbeth, and Malcolm enlists his help in the struggle. Sign up now, Latest answer posted March 27, 2012 at 12:42:04 AM, Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 4:54:26 PM, Latest answer posted December 06, 2009 at 11:22:13 AM, Latest answer posted December 16, 2018 at 6:15:54 PM, Latest answer posted July 29, 2012 at 11:33:54 AM. His resolve strengthened by the Three Witches, who tell him he will not be defeated until the woods travel to the hill, Macbeth decides that Macduff is an enemy to be removed. Macbeth's killing of King Duncan's guards in act 2, scene 3 leads Macduff to believe that Macbeth is involved in Duncan's murder. After Duncan names Malcolm as the next king, something which Macbeth verbally praises but secretly curses, Duncan declares he will go to Inverness (Macbeth's castle) to celebrate Macbeth's bravery and new title. He wants Malcolm and Macduff to return to Scotland and raise an army to oppose Macbeth. Malcom: Why should I play the Roman fool and dieOn mine own sword. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. Macbeth has Macduff's family and servants murdered because he believes them to be disloyal. Is this decision necessary? While he is confident that he can defeat Macduff in battle, he still worries about losing the throne in the future to any heirs who might seek revenge. The the forest begins to move. He is a thoughtful king which is why he takes the time to go to Inverness to thank Macbeth … Macbeth has no conscience. Answered by jill d 170087 on 1212014 923 PM The witches circle a cauldron mixing in a variety of grotesque ingredients while chanting double double toil and … When Macbeth recovers his senses after being unnerved at seeing the ghost of Banquo at the banquet, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he's going to the witches to find out what they know about his future. Ironically, Macbeth is not aware that Macduff was "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb—meaning that Macduff is capable of killing him. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. What led to the scene? Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. In Macbeth's mind he did not want to lose the crown to anyone in Macduff's family and the massacre would also send a strong message not to oppose him. Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the line. What news does Ross have for Macduff? from Kent State University M.A. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. well, it's part of the whole "beware macduff" thing. What does the following Shakespeare quote from. In act 3, scene 4, Macbeth reveals that Macduff refused to attend Macbeth's coronation banquet—the banquet which the ghost of Banquo attends uninvited—which angers Macbeth. Macduff fights and kills Macbeth by decapitating him. He is with Malcolm, the king’s son, who fled to England to gather an army to oppose Macbeth. The prophecy confirms Macbeth's view of Macduff and solidifies Macduff as a serious threat. He hired two murderers to kill them. Meanwhile, Macbeth murders Macduff's family. Hi family were un-protected in his castle all alone in a place he has to flee from because of fear. He is motivated to portray himself as an intimidating, powerful tyrant who will punish and destroy his enemies. Therefore, Macbeth reasons, the best way to remove any threat is to remove everyone; he gives the order to kill Macduff’s “wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line.”, Top subjects are Literature, History, and Law and Politics. Why does this make the murders he now plans even worse? Macduff finds King Duncan dead in his room. How does Macbeth interpret the prophecies made by the apparitions? Macbeth's superstition and belief in the witches' prophecy lead him to eliminate Macduff's family. Macbeth also reveals that he has spies in the homes of the nobility in Scotland, including Macduff's home, so Macbeth is fairly certain that Macduff suspects him of Duncan's murder and that Macduff is likely plotting with other nobles against him. Why Did Macbeth Kill Macduff's Family Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family murdered? Malcolm says, "Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell. He decides to kill Macduff's family because he decided to make actions as soon as he has the thought. Additional reasons for Macduff killing Macbeth was that he had to prove his allegiance towards Malcolm and that he had to prove that apparitions correct. Through the chronicles of history there have always been heroes. Cloudflare Ray ID: 62f83d125b9f580e Act 4, Scene 2 The scene turns to Macduff's castle where Lady Macduff is livid because her husband has left her and their son to go to England. He's trying to weaken macduff. Macbeth is also angry that Macduff fled to England before he could kill him, and Macbeth takes out his vengeful retribution on Macduff's family. Why does Macduff feel that he must be the one to kill Macbeth? Macbeth kills his wife and young family. Lady Macbeth commits suicide because she can’t bare the guilt & haunting visions. He no longer has reason to kill, instead going on a kind of killing spree. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. Joan of Arc, Napoleon, Genghis Khan and Churchill are only a few examples of people that are remember eternally for what they have done. Contrast Macbeth’s attitude toward murdering Macduff’s family with his attitude about murdering Duncan. Macbeth tells Macduff not to waste his time. What happened in the scene? What is the difference? 1 decade ago. The reason for the murder of his wife and children was to clear the bloodline. Sc. Macbeth therefore sends murderers after Banquo, his son Fleance, and the Macduff family. Macbeth demands to know the meaning of this final vision, but the witches perform a mad dance and then vanish. Macduff happens to not be there. Filed Under: Essays. Lennox enters and tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. What does that mean? If Macduff didn’t kil Macbeth then the ghosts of his family would haunt him for it: Who becomes king upon Macbeth’s death?
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