Macbeth Act 4, Scene 3, Lines 200-240

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The chosen extract comes from Macbeth, A4, Sc3, Lines 200 – 240, commencing: “The tyrant has not battered…” and concluding: “…. and bids it break.” Contextually, this scene is crucial for three reasons: • It marks the definitive turning point in the battle for Scotland. After this moment, invasion, defeat and retribution become inevitable. • It serves as confirmation, if by now we need any, of Ross’ ambivalence and perfidy. • It underscores Macbeth’s greatest mistake, above and beyond committing Regicide. Unnerved by the Weird Sisters’ prophesy, he seeks to ensure his personal safety by neutralising his – purported - greatest threat. In so doing, he invites calamity upon his own head, “All as the weird sisters promised”, to echo the long-dead Banquo. In terms of narrative, the scene is straightforward. Macduff, to emphasise his contempt for the “tyrant”, has fled to England, inadvertently exposing his family to danger. Not even he could have suspected Macbeth’s depravity, however. On a windy plain in Southern England, he meets with Malcolm, the rightful heir to the Scottish throne. In the finest traditions of cooperation between two frequently warring neighbours, the English king has made available “Good Siward and ten thousand men” (Line 14) to assist in the looming invasion. Ross rushes to England, ostensibly to tell Macduff first hand the tale of his family’s “savage slaughter”, in reality to sound out the prospects for changing sides and gaining favour. Ross’ language, his syntax, his utterly bogus empathy and feigned innocence all sit at odds with the audience’s clear understanding: He WAS present during the prelude to HIS COUSIN’s “savage slaughter”. The kindest interpretation is that he was toadying to Macbeth, doing his bidding. He knows why the family was slaughtered. Now, he opens discussions with the soon-to-be-declared bereaved Thane with a

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