Macduff is one of the most important characters in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. He is a Scottish nobleman who is loyal to King Duncan and becomes one of the key figures in the fight against Macbeth. Macduff's character is complex, and he undergoes significant changes throughout the play. This essay will discuss the character of Macduff and provide evidence from the play to support this analysis.
At the beginning of the play, Macduff is portrayed as a loyal and honorable man. He is introduced as a "nobleman of Scotland" (Act 1, Scene 3) who is deeply committed to his country and his king. Macduff is also shown to be a man of integrity and honesty. When he learns of King Duncan's murder, he is horrified and immediately sets out to find the killer. This shows his sense of duty and loyalty to his king.
As the play progresses, Macduff's character becomes more complex. He is devastated by the death of his family at the hands of Macbeth's henchmen. This event marks a turning point for Macduff. He becomes more determined to bring down Macbeth and avenge his family. Macduff's grief and anger are evident in his words: "All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? What, all my pretty chickens and their dam at one fell swoop?" (Act 4, Scene 3). This quote shows how deeply Macduff is affected by the loss of his family.
Macduff's character is also defined by his loyalty to Scotland. He is determined to restore order and bring peace to the country. This is evident in his words: "Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee!" (Act 4, Scene 3). This quote shows Macduff's determination to rid Scotland of Macbeth's tyranny and restore order to the land.
In the final act of the play, Macduff emerges as a hero. He is the one who kills Macbeth and restores the rightful king to the throne. Macduff's bravery and loyalty are evident in his final confrontation with Macbeth. Macduff's words before the battle show his determination to fight for what is right: "I have no words: my voice is in my sword, Thou bloodier villain Than terms can give thee out!" (Act 5, Scene 7).