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Infer Why might Shakespeare have decided to show the murder of Lady Macduff and her children on stage? Explain how watching this scene rather than hearing about the event occurring offstage might affect the audience's view of Macbeth.

User Valerie Thiesent
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21 votes

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

The murder, if we were able to just see it, would involve something very visible and very visceral. It would certainly change my view of Macbeth to watch him cold bloodly kill innocent children right before our eyes. And killing a woman is not exactly a very chivalrous thing to do. It paints a picture of what kind of a ruler Macbeth might be once he comes to power. I also have trouble with motivation. What is so important about replacing Duncan? Why does it matter to Macbeth so much? The cost seems too high. It intensifies that feeling if we see children murdered even if it is only on stage. Macbeth is not a character that you can build a whole lot of sympathy for -- especially after he does what he does in this scene.

User Christopher Barber
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