Opening the scene in which Lady Macduff and her son are
slaughtered with them talking to each other serves several
purposes.
In relation to their slaughter later in the
scene, their conversation introduces them to the audience and allows the audience to get
to know them. This, of course, makes their deaths that much more horrific. We may be
especially drawn to Macduff's son, who comes off as intelligent and witty, if a little
bit stiff. The murder of this child then demonstrates the heights Macbeth's treachery
has reached.
Through their dialogue, however, other
purposes are accomplished as well. The question of Macduff's leaving his family
unprotected is raised by Lady Macduff. She is angry at Macduff and can't believe he
would leave them unprotected. Malcolm of course echoes this sentiment when he at first
doesn't trust Macduff in Act 4.3, citing his leaving his family unprotected as possible
evidence that he is in league with Macbeth, and therefore his family is not at
risk.
The son's words in his conversation with his mother
also further the theme of the unnatural, fair is foul and foul is fair, and opposites.
The liars, as he points out, certainly are more numerous than those that are not
treacherous. Virtually everyone in the play except the Macduff's are acting throughout
the play, putting on a false face.
No comments:
Post a Comment