Macduff Character Analysis (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Macduff Character Analysis 

Macduff is presented as a moral and patriotic nobleman who kills Macbeth and rightfully restores order to Scotland. 

Macduff character summary

Why is Macduff important?

Macduff is a symbol of justice and retribution against Macbeth’s tyranny. Although he is a relatively minor character and appears sporadically throughout the play, he is a pivotal character in Act 4 and Act 5. 

Macduff is depicted as:

• Patriotic: Macduff’s patriotism is revealed when he discovers Duncan’s body. He exclaims: “O horror, horror, horror!” revealing his deep loyalty and reverence to the King. His immediate mistrust and later refusal to attend Macbeth’s coronation signify his loyalty to Scotland’s rightful heir.

• Vengeful: Macduff’s journey to England leaves his family unprotected and Macbeth’s fear of Macduff raising an army against him has the important effect of Macbeth having Macduff’s family killed: “His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls”. Macduff expresses his utter heartbreak at their murder: “All my pretty chickens and their dam./At one fell swoop?” Malcolm encourages him to seek revenge for the murders: “let grief / Convert to anger”. Macduff becomes more aggressive and determined to avenge their deaths. 

• Brave: At the end of the play, Macduff’s bravery and patriotism are evident when he challenges Macbeth, calling him a “hell-hound” and monster for his evil deeds. Despite the witches’ predictions that Macbeth will not be killed by a man born of a woman, Macbeth is reluctant to fight Macduff when challenged. Macbeth finally accepts his guilt and admits to Macduff that his “soul is charged with blood”.

• Symbol of justice: Macduff represents justice. By vanquishing Macbeth, he reinstates the rightful order in Scotland by establishing Malcolm as king. The play concludes with the violent death of Macbeth, which fulfils the prophecy of the witches that Macbeth should “Beware Macduff!”

For more on how Shakespeare presents the character of Macduff, see our video below:

Macduff’s use of language

Macduff uses language that reflects his loyalty, patriotism and deep sense of justice, often revealed through his intense emotions and religious allusions.

• Emotive and exclamatory: Macduff describes his family metaphorically as “pretty chickens and their dam” to convey the love he has for his family and the abject sadness he feels after their murders. His emotive language and repeated use of interrogatives in Act 4 reflect the disbelief he feels: “My children too?” and “My wife killed too?”. Macduff’s language is highly emotive and he blames himself for the murders: “Sinful Macduff!”, “struck for thee…Not for their own demerits, but for mine”. 

• Religious and moralistic: Macduff’s use of religious language reflects his deep belief in justice and the Divine Right of Kings, and conveys his moral righteousness. He refers to King Duncan’s death as a “most sacrilegious murder”. After discovering Duncan’s body, Macduff uses religious allusions and exclamatory phrases to reflect his deep shock: “Merciful Heaven!” and “O hellkite!”. 

Macduff key quotes 

Macduff character development

For more on the development of Macduff's character, see our video below:

Macduff character interpretation

The Divine Right of Kings 

Kingship and loyalty were important aspects of Jacobean life and the murder of a king was viewed as evil and against the belief in the Divine Right of Kings. Therefore a contemporary audience would have understood Macduff’’s role in restoring God’s order through the rightful heir to the throne. Social expectations at the time would also have expected good to overcome evil and so Macbeth must be destroyed to atone for his crimes.

Alternative presentation of gender roles 

Macduff’s character challenges traditional representations of masculinity in the scenes where he conveys his overwhelming grief, compassion and vulnerability. This expression of his feelings would have been unconventional during Shakespeare’s era. Macduff’s emotional depth and sensitivity is juxtaposed with Shakespeare’s presentation of masculinity though Macbeth, who is associated with brutality, ruthlessness and violence.