Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Please can you explain and tell me what Malcolm's positive and negative qualities are in "Macbeth"?

Malcolm is considered to be honest and noble, like his father.  He is described as "worthy" in the Act V scenes before and during battle.

In Act IV scene III, Macduff meets Malcolm in England where Macduff interrogates Malcolm to see what kind of King he would become and if he were worth backing in order to save Scotland.  Malcolm tests Macduff by telling him all sorts of stories--he is dishonest, greedy, full of lust for women, etc.  With each story, Macduff counters with suggestions to appease the future king's vices and tells Malcolm that he is the rightful heir to the throne and that Macbeth must be stopped at all costs since he is killing their beloved country.  Malcolm then admits that none of these vices are true, is convinced that Macduff is sincere and has not been sent by Macbeth to kill him, and the two plan their rescue of Scotland by attacking Macbeth.

In the end of the play, Malcolm is generous, thankful, and full of praise of those who have served him well in the dethroning of Macbeth and the saving of Scotland.  We are reminded of the opening of the play where Malcolm's beloved father, Duncan, is performing the same acts.  Malcolm appears to be the spitting image of his father and the future of Scotland appears to be in the hands of loving King who will be every bit as loved as Duncan was.

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