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MacBeth. Act 4, Scene 2
29
Transcript
Summary;
So far, MacBeth has murdered king Duncan, his servants, and his former best friend, Banquo. He also attempted the murder of Banquo's son, Fleance. In act 3 scene 4 we learn that Macduff was absent during the feast that Macbeth had held. Macbeth also admits to Lady Macbeth that he has kept spies in every Lord's house in order to monitor his noblemen. Through this, Macbeth has learned that Macduff has been conspiring against him. To end this he has sent murderers to his home to kill his family and teach a lesson to all those who defy him.
In this play MacBeth's rein of terror started with the murders of innocent people, and he isn't finished yet.
Scene 2 begins with Ross comforting Lady MacDuff because she is crushed by the recent flight of her husband. Lady Macduff believes that what Macduff has done is the act of a coward and a traitor, but Ross tells her that her husband is wise and he knows what he is doing. This provides little comfort to her however, and she claims it wasn't wisdom that made him leave, he simply doesn't love his wife and children anymore. His absence also means that Lady Macduff is now left defenceless against Macbeth and this worries her. Ross points out that there is alot of confusion in the country because of the disarray that Macbeth has brought, this may have been the reason for Macduff's sudden departure. Lady MacDuff doesn't believe Ross and she does not take his advice. Ross then leaves, claiming that if he stayed longer he would surely cry. Lady MacDuff and her son have a conversation about where Lord MacDuff is and why he left. Then, murderers (hired by MacBeth. Surprised?) enter and they kill everyone in the household.
After Ross leaves, Lady MacDuff and her son have a conversation about Lord MacDuff's absence and she teases him about no longer having a father. He wittingly replies that she no longer has a husband. This loving banter continues as they chat about what a traiter is and why they must be hanged. A messenger arrives and warns Lady Macduff that danger is approaching them, he then leaves before he is caught in the crossfire. She doesn't know why anyone would want to harm her because she has never done anything wrong, but in this chaotic Scotland the good are often in danger. Then, murderers (hired by MacBeth. Surprised?) enter and they kill everyone in the household.
Themes:
Murder:
MacBeth just can't stop killing people.
Dramatic Irony:
Lady MacDuff and her son spend their time talking about the absense of her husband. She asks her son what he will do for a father and he promtly responds asking what will she do for a husband? This is ironic because both are joking about a dead family member when really, they are about to be the dead family members.
Situational Irony:
This situation is ironic because MacDuff had left his family in order to go get Malcolm from England and end MacBeth's tyrannic rule. He leaves, thinking he will save his family, but really his family is murdered while he is gone.
Characters:
Ross is a cousin to MacBeth and near act 2, he starts to see how twisted MacBeth has become, and he suspects something would happen to the MacDuffs. Ross is not aware of MacBeth's spies in various houses, but he does suspect it, and he knows that MacBeth knows that MacDuff left the country to look for Malcom. Ross, seeing the tyranny of MacBeth, decides he will side with the MacDuffs. He believes that something will happen so he travels to their house to persuade Lady MacDuff to leave. When she doesn't, he weeps for her.
Lady MacDuff is the wife of Lord MacDuff, thane of Fife. The scene opens with her being upset about her husband leaving, and it is understandable. She claimes "What had he done, to make him fly the land?" which means essentially, 'he did nothing wrong, but fleeing like that makes it seem as if he did, and suspicion will fall on us."
She worries that if Scotland isn't safe for her husband, how can it be safe for she and her children, left without any defense?
"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" (4.2.11)." This metaphor shows that lady MacDuff doesn't believe her husband would stand any chance against MacBeth alone. She compares her husband to the bird the wren, and MacBeth to the owl; the bird of night and death. Despite her understanding that her husband would be outmatched, she is still upset that he left because she wants him to be with her to protect their family.
The son of Lady MacDuff is a spry and energetic young boy. He and his mother exchange a lively debate about what they will do without a father and husband, and how he will live. The boy's death makes the play even more of a tragedy, and it further puts the audience against MacBeth and his cause.
There is plenty of speculation as to where the messenger came from. Given what he tells Lady MacDuff, we are to believe that he is a common man known to her husband, but not to her. He had somehow got wind of MacBeth's plan to kill her and her family, Shown here is a contrast between MacBeth and MacDuff. The men who live directly under MacBeth's rule serve him out of fear, while the men who live in MacDuff's area serve him out of love for a good man.
Why would Shakespeare include this scene?
-dire circumstances in Scotland
-points out MacBeth's cruelty
-adds humour to the play
-adds to the plot