Similarities Between Macbeth And Macduff

Throughout Macbeth, the theme of masculinity and what makes a good king is explored. It contrasted Macbeth, MacDuff, and Malcolm's style of kingship and shows that MacDuff would make the best king. Macduff has all the king-becoming graces, fortitude, devotion, and the qualities of a leader. The first point that proves that Macduff would make the best king is his fortitude. He displays this characteristic when mourning the death of everyone in his castle, including his family. Despite knowing that his family was killed he continues to put forth his efforts into teaching Malcolm that being a man isn't about how stoic or vengeful one is, but feeling emotions like a man and making rational and nobel decisions. When finding out that his family

Malcolm's responses to MacDuff’s lessons however, showed little understanding of what MacDuff was explaining. Malcolm began with saying, “Be comforted. Let's make us medicines of our great revenge” (iv.iii). MacDuff then turns to Ross and says, “He has no children” (iv.iii). This response shows MacDuff’s awareness of how little Malcolm truly understands about his pain of losing his family. When Malcolm says, “Dispute it like a man” (iv.iii). MacDuff responds with, “I shall do so, but I must also feel it as a man” (iv.iii). MacDuff proves how open he is emotionally and shows no shame for sharing such emotions. Malcolm then counters his statement with, “Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief convert to anger. Blunt not the heart; enrage it” (iv.iii). MacDuff's response strongly defines his character. He says, “Oh, I could play the woman with mine eyes and braggart with my tongue! But, gentle heavens,

When Malcolm spoke about how he would be far worse than Macbeth, MacDuff assures Malcolm that he will never be, and that anything he would ever want is at his fingertips. Malcolm says, “It is myself I mean, in whom I know All the particulars of vice so grafted, that, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth Will seem as pure as now, and the poor state esteem him as a lamb, being compared with my confineless harms” (iv.iii). Macduff responds with, “Not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned In evils to top Macbeth” (iv.iii). This shows his obvious allegiance Malcolm, and his willingness to aid Malcolm in his reign. Since Macbeth was king back in Scotland, Macduff could have gathered an army himself and gone back to Scotland alone to acquire the crown. However instead of doing so, Macduff stands by Malcolm for the well being of their country and to keep the natural order of who should be king. He attempts to illustrate that Malcolm would make a better king, but he doesn't feign acceptance of his cruel ways either. When Malcolm asks Macduff, “If such a one be fit to govern, speak. I am as I have spoken” (iv.iii). Macduff masks no emotion with his response, and makes clear that he doesn't see Malcolm as fit to rule according to his statements. He says, “Fit to govern?/No, not to live“ (iv.iii). However, Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty with his promises of being a bad king