Macbeth LRJ#4

Aaron Fernandez

10 IB English

Ms. Peifer

March 3, 2009

1) Lady Macduff shows how women were portrayed as the stereotypical woman.  She shows her love for her family, but also that she is a weak woman, and that is what the woman are supposed to be like.  The importance of having her in the Act is to show what a woman's role was in society, and how some women followed that role like Lady Macduff, but others didn't like Lady Macbeth.  First she tells Ross that her husband does not care about his family when she says, "He loves us not, he wants the natural touch"(4.2. 8-9).  She explains here that her husband does not love his family because he left them in the castle alone without protection.  The relationship she has with her son is a close bond, they taunt each other.  The son tells the mother in a playful manner, "If he were dead, you'd weep for him; if you would not, it were a good sing that I should quickly have a new father"(4.2. 62-64).  They have a close relationship, and that is what this quote shows.  The portrayal of a woman's strength is also seen in this act.  Lady Macduff says, "Why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defense To say I have done no harm?"(4.2. 79- 81).  She is saying here that she will not be harmed because she is a woman, and they do not commit anything bad because of their small strength. 

2) Macduff is a very honest and noble man.  He shows his internal views on the subject concerning Macbeth, and his crowning.  Macduff is very uneasy about how Macbeth came about to being crowned, and how he has ruined Scotland.  Macduff says, "Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned In evils to top Macbeth"(4.3. 57- 58).  Macduff says that not even demons can compare to how bad of a person Macbeth is, and that he has brought en Scotland to its knees.  Macduff expresses his complete mistrust, and despise for Macbeth in this one line.  

3) Macbeth has become completely insane.  He has gone to the witches, and relies on their prophecies, and Macbeth demands to know the answer.  He has lost all his honor form the Act 1, and now there is no one who worships him.  Macbeth tells the witches, "Even till destruction sicken, answer me To what I ask you" (4.3. 60- 61).  He now demands information, and he is not innocent anymore he now relies on their prophecies to rule his life.  Now Macbeth is making all the murder operations and plans, Lady Macbeth is not even consulted anymore.  Macbeth has no problem with murder anymore or innocents, he is fine with doing what he needs to do to kill all who oppose him.  Macbeth says his plan, "The castle of Macduff I will surprise..... His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line" (4.2. 150- 153).  He is making all the plans, and he has lost all sanity of the difference between right and wrong.  Macbeth has now only worried about himself, and what he can do to save his title as king.