Macbeth LRJ#4

1. The collective purpose of this scene is to vividly reflect Macbeth's downfall into insanity and cruelty; "He[hired murderer] has killed me mother[Lady Macduff]!" (Shakespeare, Macbeth 4.2.8). For Macbeth to have his friend's wife and child killed at their most vulnerable state expresses his desperation and derangement. This action on Macbeth's part also sets him indefinitely against his previous friends, especially Macduff. This marks the beginning of Macbeth's demise, caused completely by his own exertions.

2.Macduff becomes a much more active character in his pursuit of vendetta. After he hears of his family's slaying, the audience can easily perceive his anger, determination, and lament. " Within my sword's length set him. If he scape/ Heaven forgive him too!"(5.1.263-237) Macduff becomes the symbol for the group of friend's devotion to Scotland and to overthrow the tyrant there friend has become.

3. As described in the first point, Macbeth has even more crazed, no longer expressing any traits of his original character. He longer expresses any sort of guilt or remorse, in it place a more murderous disposition. Another characteristic which is attached to the new Macbeth is arrogance; as the witches tells him he will not be harmed by any man born of a woman while at the same time they forewarn him to be wary of Macduff, he scorns and poses the next rhetoric, "...live Macduff, what need I fear thee?"(4.1.82) This is an omen of his collapse, as throughout writing and history, figures in power who express arrogance are quick to fail.