Enter Macduff’s Wife, her Son, and Ross.

LADY MACDUFF

“What had he done to make him fly the land?”

• Explanation: Lady Macduff questions why her husband fled Scotland. She wonders if he is guilty of something that forced him to leave.
• Analysis: She assumes people only flee when they are guilty, implying that Macduff’s actions make him look like a traitor.
• Language Device: Rhetorical Question – She doesn’t expect an answer but expresses disbelief and frustration.

ROSS

“You must have patience, madam.”

• Explanation: Ross tells Lady Macduff to be patient and not judge Macduff too quickly.
• Analysis: He suggests that there may be a reason for Macduff’s actions, hinting at Scotland’s dangerous political climate.

LADY MACDUFF

“He had none.”

• Explanation: She argues that Macduff himself lacked patience because he left in a hurry.

**”His flight was madness. When our actions do not,

Our fears do make us traitors.”**

• Explanation: She believes Macduff’s fear made him act irrationally, making him look guilty even if he isn’t.
• Analysis: She suggests that even if someone does nothing wrong, running away can make them seem like a traitor.
• Language Device: Paradox – People can become traitors by doing nothing, simply because of fear.

ROSS

**”You know not

Whether it was his wisdom or his fear.”**

• Explanation: Ross tries to calm Lady Macduff, saying Macduff may have left out of wisdom, not fear.
• Analysis: He suggests that fleeing might have been the best decision in the situation.
• Language Device: Juxtaposition – The contrast between wisdom vs. fear highlights how Macduff’s actions are open to interpretation.

LADY MACDUFF

**”Wisdom? To leave his wife, to leave his babes,

His mansion and his titles in a place
From whence himself does fly?”**

• Explanation: She sarcastically questions whether leaving his family, home, and status behind is truly wise.
• Analysis: She sees his departure as selfish and unwise, making no sense if Scotland is truly dangerous.
• Language Device: Repetition (“to leave”) – Emphasizes abandonment and her growing frustration.

**”He loves us not;

He wants the natural touch; for the poor wren,
The most diminutive of birds, will fight,
Her young ones in her nest, against the owl.”**

• Explanation: She claims Macduff does not love them, comparing him to a wren (small bird) who refuses to protect its chicks from an owl (danger).
• Analysis: She suggests that even the weakest creatures protect their young, but Macduff failed as a husband and father.
• Language Device: Metaphor – Macduff is the wren abandoning his children, while Macbeth’s men are the owl, symbolizing danger.

**”All is the fear, and nothing is the love,

As little is the wisdom, where the flight
So runs against all reason.”**

• Explanation: She believes Macduff fled out of fear, not love or wisdom.
• Analysis: She sees his decision as illogical, putting his family in danger instead of protecting them.
• Language Device: Triadic Structure (Rule of Three) – “fear, love, wisdom” highlights her anger and disbelief.

ROSS

**”My dearest coz,

I pray you school yourself.”**

• Explanation: Ross affectionately calls her “coz” (short for cousin, a term for close relatives) and advises her to calm down.
• Analysis: He understands her pain but believes Macduff had no choice.

**”But for your husband,

He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows
The fits o’ th’ season.”**

• Explanation: Ross defends Macduff, calling him noble and wise and saying he understands the political dangers of the time.
• Analysis: He suggests Macduff left to protect himself and possibly his family, though Lady Macduff does not see it that way.
• Language Device: Euphemism (“fits o’ th’ season”) – Refers to Scotland’s chaotic, violent state without directly mentioning it.

**”I dare not speak much further;

But cruel are the times when we are traitors
And do not know ourselves;”**

• Explanation: Ross hesitates because speaking openly is dangerous. He reflects on how, in these times, people can be seen as traitors even when they are innocent.
• Analysis: Macbeth’s rule has created paranoia and confusion in Scotland.
• Language Device: Paradox – People are considered traitors without knowing why.

**”When we hold rumor

From what we fear, yet know not what we fear,
But float upon a wild and violent sea
Each way and move—”**

• Explanation: People believe rumors because of fear, even though they don’t fully understand what they are afraid of.
• Analysis: Ross describes Scotland as unstable and chaotic.
• Language Device: Metaphor – Scotland is a “wild and violent sea,” symbolizing its dangerous and unpredictable state.

**”I take my leave of you.

Shall not be long but I’ll be here again.
Things at the worst will cease or else climb upward
To what they were before.”**

• Explanation: Ross says goodbye, promising to return soon and expressing hope that things will either end or improve.
• Analysis: His words are vague and uncertain, reflecting the fearful atmosphere of Scotland.
• Language Device: Optimistic paradox – Either things will get worse and collapse or recover, but it is unclear which will happen.

**”—My pretty cousin,

Blessing upon you.”**

• Explanation: Ross says a warm farewell to Lady Macduff.
• Analysis: Dramatic Irony – The audience knows she is about to be murdered, making Ross’s blessing tragically futile.

LADY MACDUFF

“Fathered he is, and yet he’s fatherless.”

• Explanation: She acknowledges that her son has a father (Macduff) but, since Macduff has abandoned them, he is practically fatherless.
• Analysis: This highlights her bitterness toward Macduff’s decision to flee.
• Language Device: Paradox – Her son has a father yet doesn’t because Macduff is absent.

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ROSS

**”I am so much a fool, should I stay longer

It would be my disgrace and your discomfort.”**

• Explanation: Ross feels overwhelmed and fears that if he stays, he will either show too much emotion (making him look weak) or cause more distress for Lady Macduff.
• Analysis: He is torn between loyalty to Macduff and sympathy for Lady Macduff.
• Language Device: Juxtaposition (“disgrace and discomfort”) – Shows Ross’s internal conflict.

“I take my leave at once.” (Ross exits.)

• Explanation: Ross quickly leaves, possibly because he suspects danger or because he cannot bear Lady Macduff’s pain and anger.

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LADY MACDUFF

**”Sirrah, your father’s dead.

And what will you do now? How will you live?”**

• Explanation: She sarcastically tells her son that his father is as good as dead because he left them. She then asks how he will survive without a father.
• Analysis: Her words show anger but also concern for her son’s future.
• Language Device: Irony – She calls Macduff “dead,” but the real death is coming soon for them.

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SON

“As birds do, mother.”

• Explanation: The son says he will live like a bird, meaning he will find his own way to survive.
• Analysis: This shows his innocence and resilience, but also foreshadows his vulnerability.
• Language Device: Metaphor – He compares himself to a bird, symbolizing his fragility.

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LADY MACDUFF

“What, with worms and flies?”

• Explanation: She playfully mocks his response, asking if he will survive on scraps.
• Analysis: This adds a moment of humor, making the tragedy that follows even more heartbreaking.

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SON

“With what I get, I mean; and so do they.”

• Explanation: He clarifies that birds survive with whatever they find, just as he will.
• Analysis: This shows his innocent confidence, but also the harsh reality that he will not get the chance to grow up.

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LADY MACDUFF

**”Poor bird, thou ’dst never fear the net nor lime,

The pitfall nor the gin.”**

• Explanation: She says her son, like a naïve bird, doesn’t fear traps, even though they exist.
• Analysis: This foreshadows how her son is unaware of the danger approaching.
• Language Device: Metaphor – “Net, lime, pitfall, and gin” represent traps set by evil people (like Macbeth’s men).

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SON

“Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set for.”

• Explanation: He believes that hunters don’t bother trapping poor, weak birds like him.
• Analysis: This is tragically ironic because the murderers do come for him, despite his innocence.
• Language Device: Dramatic Irony – The audience knows he is wrong, making his fate even sadder.

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LADY MACDUFF

“My father is not dead, for all your saying.”

• Explanation: The son insists that Macduff is still alive, even though his mother keeps calling him dead.
• Analysis: This shows the son’s faith in his father, contrasting with Lady Macduff’s anger and betrayal.

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LADY MACDUFF

“Yes, he is dead. How wilt thou do for a father?”

• Explanation: She insists that Macduff is “dead” to them, asking how her son will manage without a father.
• Analysis: This highlights her bitterness and fear about being left alone.

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SON

“Nay, how will you do for a husband?”

• Explanation: The son cleverly turns the question back on her, asking how she will survive without a husband.
• Analysis: This moment of childish wit adds humor but also reflects his maturity beyond his years.

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LADY MACDUFF

“Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.”

• Explanation: She sarcastically suggests that men are easily replaceable, unlike a father to a child.
• Analysis: This reflects her anger toward Macduff, but also her understanding that a father’s role is irreplaceable.
• Language Device: Hyperbole – Exaggerating that she could “buy” twenty husbands emphasizes her frustration.

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SON

“Then you’ll buy ’em to sell again.”

• Explanation: The son jokes that if she can buy husbands, she might sell them too, implying that marriage isn’t as simple as trade.
• Analysis: His wit contrasts with his tragic fate, making his upcoming death even more heartbreaking.

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LADY MACDUFF

**”Thou speak’st with all thy wit,

And yet, i’ faith, with wit enough for thee.”**

• Explanation: She praises her son for his cleverness, but suggests that he still has much to learn.
• Analysis: This is a tender moment between mother and son, making the impending tragedy even more painful.

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SON

“Was my father a traitor, mother?”

• Explanation: The son asks directly if Macduff was a traitor.
• Analysis: His question shows that even a child is aware of political accusations, reflecting the corrupt world they live in.

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LADY MACDUFF

“Ay, that he was.”

• Explanation: She sarcastically agrees, though she doesn’t truly believe it.
• Analysis: This shows her anger but also highlights how false accusations spread quickly in Macbeth’s reign.

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SON

“What is a traitor?”

• Explanation: He asks for a definition, showing his innocence and curiosity.

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LADY MACDUFF

“Why, one that swears and lies.”

• Explanation: She gives a simple answer, saying that traitors are people who make promises but break them.
• Analysis: She is unknowingly describing Macbeth, not Macduff.
• Language Device: Irony – Macbeth is the real traitor, not Macduff.

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SON

“And be all traitors that do so?”

• Explanation: He asks if every liar is a traitor, showing childlike logic.

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LADY MACDUFF

“Every one that does so is a traitor and must be hanged.”

• Explanation: She says all liars deserve death, unknowingly foreshadowing her own fate.
• Language Device: Foreshadowing – Lady Macduff and her son will soon be murdered by Macbeth’s orders.

LADY MACDUFF:

“Every one.”

• Lady Macduff responds simply and firmly to her son’s question about whether all liars and swearers should be hanged.
• Her short, blunt answer emphasizes her belief in justice and morality.
• This line contrasts with the corruption in Macbeth’s world, where dishonesty thrives.

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SON:

“Who must hang them?”

• The son, with childlike innocence, questions who will enforce justice.
• This is ironic, as he points out a flaw in his mother’s logic—who will punish the guilty if they are the majority?
• His curiosity reflects a deeper theme of power and corruption, where justice is weak.

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LADY MACDUFF:

“Why, the honest men.”

• Lady Macduff insists that good people will uphold justice.
• However, in the world of Macbeth, honesty is often punished, and evil is rewarded.
• This statement is dramatic irony because the audience knows that Scotland is ruled by a corrupt king.

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SON:

“Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men and hang up them.”

• The son makes a sharp observation: if dishonest people outnumber honest ones, they could take control.
• This line is filled with irony and dark humor—the child understands the world’s corruption better than his mother.
• It reflects the reversal of justice in Macbeth, where the wicked are in power.
• Themes: Corruption, Injustice, Power Dynamics

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LADY MACDUFF:

“Now God help thee, poor monkey!”

• Lady Macduff affectionately calls her son a “poor monkey,” which is a term of endearment.
• However, there is an underlying melancholy, as she recognizes that her son is powerless in a world ruled by cruelty.
• Foreshadowing: This line hints at the tragic fate awaiting her and her son.

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LADY MACDUFF:

“But how wilt thou do for a father?”

• She abruptly shifts the conversation to Macduff’s absence, showing her bitterness and frustration.
• The question carries emotional weight—she is both concerned for her son and angry at her husband.
• Themes: Family, Betrayal, Abandonment

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SON:

“If he were dead, you’d weep for him. If you would not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father.”

• The son logically assumes that if Macduff were dead, his mother would be mourning. Since she is not, he believes Macduff is alive.
• His second statement is darkly humorous—he implies that if Macduff were truly gone, she would remarry.
• Foreshadowing: This line hints at Lady Macduff’s future vulnerability.

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LADY MACDUFF:

“Poor prattler, how thou talk’st!”

• “Prattler” means someone who talks too much. Lady Macduff lovingly teases her son for speaking beyond his years.
• This moment of tenderness between mother and son contrasts with the violence that follows.
• Themes: Innocence, Family, Love

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Enter a Messenger.

• The arrival of the messenger shifts the tone from warmth to tension and urgency.
• The contrast between the playful dialogue and the impending danger builds suspense.

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MESSENGER:

“Bless you, fair dame. I am not to you known,
Though in your state of honor I am perfect.”

• The messenger is a stranger, yet he recognizes Lady Macduff’s noble status.
• His greeting is respectful, showing that even in a corrupt world, some still value morality.
• Themes: Honor, Loyalty

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MESSENGER:

“I doubt some danger does approach you nearly.”

• “Doubt” here means “fear” or “suspect.” He warns Lady Macduff that she is in immediate danger.
• The phrasing heightens suspense, making it clear that something terrible is about to happen.
• Themes: Fate, Danger

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MESSENGER:

“If you will take a homely man’s advice,
Be not found here. Hence with your little ones!”

• The messenger, a simple man, advises her to flee immediately.
• “Homely” suggests he is of low status, yet he is more aware of danger than Lady Macduff.
• His warning is a moment of dramatic tension—will she escape in time?

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MESSENGER:

“To fright you thus methinks I am too savage;
To do worse to you were fell cruelty,
Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you!”

• He apologizes for scaring her but knows that a greater horror is coming.
• “Fell cruelty” means extreme violence—he suggests that something terrible is about to happen.
• Religious imagery: “Heaven preserve you!” reflects his helplessness—only divine intervention can save her now.
• Themes: Fate, Fear, Helplessness

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MESSENGER:

“I dare abide no longer.”

• The messenger quickly leaves, showing that he himself is afraid.
• His departure increases the sense of impending doom.

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LADY MACDUFF:

“Whither should I fly?”

• She questions where she can go, feeling trapped.
• This reflects her helplessness—she has done nothing wrong, yet she is the one in danger.

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LADY MACDUFF:

“I have done no harm. But I remember now
I am in this earthly world, where to do harm
Is often laudable, to do good sometime
Accounted dangerous folly.”

• Lady Macduff reflects on the injustice of the world.
• “To do harm is often laudable”—evil is praised in this world.
• “To do good… dangerous folly”—being good can lead to punishment.
• This is situational irony—she is innocent, yet she is about to be killed.
• Themes: Corruption, Injustice, Fate

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LADY MACDUFF:

“Why then, alas,
Do I put up that womanly defense
To say I have done no harm?”

• She realizes that protesting her innocence is pointless.
• “Womanly defense” suggests that she sees her plea as weak, yet she has no other option.
• The tragic irony is that her goodness will not save her.

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Enter Murderers.

• The stage direction signals immediate danger.
• Their entrance interrupts her reflection, emphasizing how quickly fate turns against her.

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LADY MACDUFF:

“What are these faces?”

• Her question shows shock and fear—she doesn’t even recognize them as people, just as “faces” of death.
• Themes: Fear, Fate, Injustice

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MURDERER:

“Where is your husband?”

• The murderer doesn’t kill her immediately—he first demands to know about Macduff.
• This shows Macbeth’s paranoia—he wants revenge on Macduff and his family.
• The question also adds psychological cruelty, making her think about her husband’s absence in her final moments.

LADY MACDUFF:

“I hope in no place so unsanctified
Where such as thou mayst find him.”

Explanation:

• Lady Macduff responds to the murderer’s demand to know where her husband is.
• She denies knowing where Macduff is but also implies that he is not in a place that is “unsanctified” (unholy or wicked).
• Her words carry a double meaning:
  • She is expressing hope that Macduff is far from evil men like the murderer.
  • She is subtly insulting the murderer, suggesting that he is an unholy person who can only exist in sinful places.
• The line shows Lady Macduff’s courage—she refuses to betray her husband, even in the face of death.

Language Devices:

• Religious imagery: The word “unsanctified” contrasts purity with corruption, reinforcing the theme of good vs. evil.
• Dramatic irony: The audience knows that Macduff has gone to England to seek help against Macbeth, but Lady Macduff is unaware.

Themes:

• Loyalty and Betrayal – Lady Macduff remains loyal to her husband, even though she feels abandoned.
• Good vs. Evil – She represents goodness, while the murderers represent the corruption under Macbeth’s rule.

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MURDERER:

“He’s a traitor.”

Explanation:

• The murderer falsely accuses Macduff of being a traitor.
• This is Macbeth’s propaganda—Macduff is branded a traitor simply because he opposes Macbeth.
• The line is bitterly ironic:
  • The real traitor is Macbeth, who has betrayed Scotland by killing Duncan and seizing power.
  • Macduff, in reality, is a hero trying to save the country.

Language Devices:

• Irony: The audience knows Macduff is not a traitor, making this accusation unjust and hypocritical.
• Bluntness: The short sentence emphasizes how easily words like “traitor” are used as weapons in Macbeth’s Scotland.

Themes:

• Corruption of Power – Macbeth’s rule distorts justice, labeling good men as criminals.
• Loyalty vs. Treason – The definition of “traitor” is twisted under Macbeth’s tyranny.

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SON:

“Thou liest, thou shag-eared villain!”

Explanation:

• The young boy bravely defends his father, immediately calling the murderer a liar.
• His insult, “shag-eared villain,” shows his defiance despite being just a child.
• His reaction is heartbreaking—he is too young to understand the danger he is in.

Language Devices:

• Direct Insult (“shag-eared villain”): A childish but bold way to show defiance.
• Irony: His bravery is admirable, but it tragically leads to his death.

Themes:

• Innocence vs. Brutality – The boy represents purity, while the murderer represents merciless violence.
• Fate and Destiny – His death seems inevitable in Macbeth’s corrupt world.

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MURDERER:

“What, you egg?”
(Stabbing him.)
“Young fry of treachery!”

Explanation:

• The murderer calls the boy an “egg,” meaning he is young and defenseless.
• “Young fry of treachery” suggests that, as Macduff’s son, he will grow up to be a traitor (even though Macduff is not actually a traitor).
• The murderer dehumanizes the boy, seeing him as an extension of Macduff rather than an innocent child.

Language Devices:

• Metaphor (“egg”): Suggests vulnerability, innocence, and potential.
• Symbolism: Eggs symbolize new life, making the murder even more horrific.
• Irony: The child is accused of “treachery” when he is completely innocent.

Themes:

• Violence and Tyranny – Macbeth’s rule is so brutal that even children are not spared.
• Fate and Predestination – The murderer assumes the son will grow up to be his father’s heir, justifying his murder.

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SON:

“He has killed me, mother.”

Explanation:

• The son’s final words are tragically simple.
• His recognition of death contrasts with his earlier playfulness, making the moment more painful.
• His innocence is further highlighted—he doesn’t cry out for revenge, just acknowledges the truth.

Language Devices:

• Direct, childlike speech: His last words are not poetic or dramatic, making them feel even more real and heart-wrenching.
• Irony: He is too young to understand what is happening, yet he faces death with acceptance.

Themes:

• Innocence Destroyed – The child’s death symbolizes the complete collapse of morality in Macbeth’s world.
• The Horrors of Tyranny – Macbeth’s rule extends its cruelty to innocent children.

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SON:

“Run away, I pray you.”

Explanation:

• With his dying breath, the son tells his mother to flee.
• His concern for her safety, even as he dies, highlights his selflessness.
• Bitter irony: Lady Macduff cannot escape her fate either—she will be killed soon after.

Language Devices:

• Imperative (“Run away”): Urges urgency, but it is ultimately futile.
• Irony: He tells his mother to escape, yet the audience knows she is doomed.

Themes:

• Family and Sacrifice – The boy tries to save his mother, despite being the one who is dying.
• Fate and Inescapability – Even with a warning, Lady Macduff cannot outrun her fate.

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Stage Direction:

Lady Macduff exits, crying “Murder!” followed by the Murderers bearing the Son’s body.

Explanation:

• Lady Macduff’s cry of “Murder!” is a final moment of resistance—she refuses to die in silence.
• The murderers carrying the son’s body away is an image of absolute horror.
• Theatrical Impact: This scene would be shocking to an audience, reinforcing the brutality of Macbeth’s rule.

Themes:

• The Collapse of Order – Macbeth’s Scotland is a place where even women and children are slaughtered.
• Injustice and Tyranny – The strong prey upon the weak, with no one left to stop them.