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

was killed rather than turning those emotions into immediate rage and seeking revenge on Macbeth, he analyzes his next step of action while simultaneously attempting to enlighten Malcolm on what makes a man.

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,

cut short all intermission!” (iv.iii). This is a significant sentence because he’s saying that he could keep crying and brag about all the things he will do or he could show rather than tell, and face Macbeth. The quote displays his stableness and temperance which are another part of the king-becoming graces.
Macduff's devotion to Scotland further proves that he would make the best king.

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

and Macduff does nothing but provide honestly and support. Macduff ultimately confirms his trustworthiness at the end of the play. He says, “Hail! King of Scotland” (v.viii). When speaking about Malcolm. The quote is an obvious submission to Malcolm and shows that Macduff is completely supporting him. 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 .
Lastly, Macduff has the qualities of a leader. When Malcolm doesn't listen to his advice on how to be a man, Macduff doesn't lash out or storm away but keeps his emotions cool and speaks to Ross about how Malcolm could never understand. To be a good leader, one has to be able to keep calm under stress which Macduff does effectively. His entire family was slain, and yet Macduff took the opportunity to lead Macbeth nonetheless. Another leadership quality he displays is courage. This is shown when speaking to Malcolm about the current state of Scotland. He says, “Hold fast the mortal sword and, like good men, bestride our downfall birthdom.“ Macduff is encouraging Malcolm to put aside his sadness, and like good men, defend their country. This statement is not to lift Malcolm's spirits, but is to teach him a lesson on how to face conflict with bravery and justice. The battle against Macbeth had a great possibility of death, and yet Macduff progressed without qualms for the sake of Scotland and the vengeance of his family.
Throughout the play Macduff has proven that he would make the best king of Scotland. Macduff has remained level headed even through his toughest adversity, staying loyal to Malcolm without falter, and held the qualities of a strong leader. Never throughout the story has he faltered with his humanity nor humility. Macduff only ever had Scotlands interests in mind and ultimately proved that his values and intentions were respectable.