Macbeth Character Analysis: Malcolm
Summary
TLDRIn this Shakespearean character analysis, Malcolm emerges as a wise, cautious, and introspective figure, contrasting with the naivety of his father, Duncan. Unlike Macbeth's greed and lust for power, Malcolm's compassionate nature and reluctance to rule are highlighted. He is portrayed as a model ruler, restoring order to Scotland by defeating Macbeth, embodying the hero archetype and demonstrating the weight of leadership with grace, not ego. The video encourages viewers to appreciate Malcolm's character depth and the themes of power and responsibility.
Takeaways
- 😀 Malcolm is portrayed as wise, cautious, and smart, unlike his naive father, which is evident in his careful approach to trusting McDuff.
- 🏰 Malcolm tests McDuff's sincerity before trusting him, showcasing his understanding of human nature and his introspective nature regarding his own suitability for kingship.
- 🤴 Malcolm's character is likened to Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, embodying the 'Reluctant King' archetype, who is introspective and compassionate.
- 🕊️ Malcolm's first thoughts after defeating Macbeth are for the fallen, highlighting his compassion and putting others before himself, unlike Macbeth's self-centeredness.
- 👑 Malcolm is described as a model ruler, who understands the weight and seriousness of power, not treating it as a toy for personal ego.
- 🔍 Malcolm's introspection is further emphasized when he tests his own character, revealing his honesty and integrity by admitting his deception in testing McDuff.
- 🌐 The script discusses the archetype of the hero, with Malcolm representing the rejuvenating force that restores order and heals the 'wasteland' of Scotland.
- 🛡️ Malcolm is honorable and not overly ambitious, subordinating his will to his country's needs, which is a key trait of a true hero.
- 📜 The script references the 'great chain of being' and the restoration of order, which Malcolm achieves by defeating Macbeth and restoring proper measure, time, and place.
- 🎭 The character analysis of Malcolm is deeply tied to themes of power, leadership, and the consequences of ambition, as explored in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
- 📚 The video encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and consider donating for PDFs, indicating the educational value and resources provided by the content creator.
Q & A
What is the main theme of the character analysis of Malcolm in the Shakespearean play 'Macbeth'?
-The main theme of the character analysis of Malcolm is his wisdom, caution, and introspection, which makes him a model ruler and the worthy hero archetype in the play.
How does Malcolm demonstrate his caution in dealing with Macduff?
-Malcolm demonstrates his caution by testing Macduff's sincerity before trusting him, unlike his naive father, King Duncan, who was too trusting.
What does Malcolm's introspection reveal about his character?
-Malcolm's introspection reveals that he is self-aware and considers his own fitness for kingship before accepting it, showing his understanding of the responsibilities of being a ruler.
How does Malcolm's compassion for the fallen reflect his character as a ruler?
-Malcolm's compassion for the fallen shows his empathy and humanity, as his first thoughts after defeating Macbeth are for the friends and allies who perished, rather than his own ascension to the throne.
What is the significance of Malcolm's reluctance to become king?
-Malcolm's reluctance to become king signifies his humility and selflessness, as he is not overly ambitious and is more focused on serving his country than seeking personal glory.
How does Malcolm's character contrast with Macbeth's?
-Malcolm's character contrasts with Macbeth's in that he is not greedy, lustful, or power-hungry. He is a reluctant hero who seeks to restore order and serve his country, whereas Macbeth is driven by ambition and greed.
What is the 'great chain of being' mentioned in the script, and how does Malcolm restore it?
-The 'great chain of being' refers to the natural order of the universe. Malcolm restores it by defeating Macbeth, the tyrant, and healing the 'wasteland' that Scotland had become, thus reestablishing the conduit to God's grace.
How does Malcolm's character embody the hero archetype in a mythic sense?
-In a mythic sense, Malcolm embodies the hero archetype as he rejuvenates the world by restoring order and defeating the tyrant. He is the child archetype that must rejuvenate the world because the parents (previous rulers) have failed.
What does Malcolm's statement about the 'first false speaking' reveal about his character?
-Malcolm's statement about the 'first false speaking' reveals his honesty and integrity. He admits that the only lie he has ever told was to test Macduff, showing that he values truth and is self-aware of his own actions.
How does Malcolm's approach to power differ from that of Macbeth?
-Malcolm's approach to power is one of service and responsibility, understanding the weight and seriousness of being a ruler. In contrast, Macbeth views power as a means to satisfy his own ego and ambition.
What is the significance of Malcolm's final words in the script?
-Malcolm's final words emphasize the restoration of order and the importance of performing duties in the proper time and place by the grace of God, not by his own will, signifying humility and a commitment to the well-being of his country.
Outlines
😀 Malcolm's Prudence and Leadership
The first paragraph delves into the character of Malcolm in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', highlighting his wisdom, caution, and introspection. Unlike his naive father, Malcolm tests Macduff's sincerity before trusting him, showcasing his understanding of human nature and his own self-awareness. He is portrayed as a compassionate and reluctant leader, who prioritizes the fallen over his own ascension to power. The paragraph also draws a parallel between Malcolm and Jon Snow from 'Game of Thrones', emphasizing his role as a model ruler and the hero archetype in a mythic sense. Malcolm's reluctance to become king and his focus on serving his country rather than his own ambition are underscored, along with his ability to restore order and heal the 'wasteland' that Scotland has become.
👑 The Weight of Power and Malcolm's Humility
The second paragraph continues the analysis of Malcolm's character, focusing on his understanding of the weight and seriousness of power. It contrasts the tyrant's misuse of power with Malcolm's humility and service to his country. The paragraph likens Malcolm to Frodo from 'Lord of the Rings', emphasizing the idea that power is not a toy but a grave responsibility. Malcolm's words at the end of the video script are highlighted, where he acknowledges that his role as king is by the grace of God, not his own will or desire. This reinforces the theme of order restoration and the proper exercise of power, marking a clear departure from the chaos caused by Macbeth's reign.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Macbeth
💡Malcolm
💡McDuff
💡Wasteland
💡Archetype
💡Reluctant King
💡Compassion
💡Introspection
💡Ambition
💡Hero
💡Grace
Highlights
Introduction to the character analysis of Macbeth, focusing on the traits of Malcolm.
Malcolm's cautious nature is highlighted, as he tests Macduff's sincerity before trusting him.
Comparison of Malcolm's intelligence and savvy to his naive father, Duncan.
Malcolm's introspection about his fitness for kingship before accepting it.
Likening Malcolm to Jon Snow as a 'Reluctant King' from Game of Thrones.
Malcolm's compassion for the fallen after the defeat of Macbeth.
Malcolm's first words upon order's restoration show his concern for his friends, not his kingship.
The contrast between Malcolm's humility and Macbeth's ambition for the crown.
Malcolm's role as a model ruler, restoring order and healing the 'Wasteland'.
The significance of Malcolm's testing of Macduff's sincerity as a wise leadership trait.
Malcolm's embodiment of the 'Hero Archetype' in a mythic sense.
Malcolm's understanding of the weight and seriousness of power as a ruler.
Malcolm's honorable nature, being not overly ambitious and serving his country.
Malcolm's self-deception test with Macduff, revealing his true character.
The depiction of Malcolm as a Frodo figure from Lord of the Rings, understanding the gravity of power.
Malcolm's final words on accepting the crown, emphasizing grace and divine will.
Conclusion of the character analysis, summarizing Malcolm's traits and significance.
Transcripts
hi everyone welcome to Shakespeare
walkthrough Macbeth character analysis
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he's wise he's cautious he's smart he
tests McDuff before trusting him unlike
his naive dad now remember uh Malcolm
escaped Scotland to to England and he's
hiding there uh but and and McDuff comes
down to England to try to convince him
to come back to Scotland and defeat
Macbeth now he he doesn't just say okay
yeah McDuff nice to see you again let's
go back up no he doesn't trust anybody
and so he spends this long scene I
talked about this in my theme video uh
he there's this long scene uh in which
Malcolm spends a lot of stage minutes uh
uh testing mcduff's uh sincerity uh and
and it turns out to be smart that's
that's what someone like Duncan should
have been doing DC uh he himself not
only is he smarter than that way he's
more Savvy about human nature than his
father but he's also introspective he's
more Savvy about himself do you see he
asks himself if he would be a good King
if he would be a good ruler he confirms
his Fitness for the kingship before he
even accepts it he's a lot like Jon Snow
in in Game of Thrones if you've watched
that the The Reluctant the The Reluctant
King DC
um he's also compassionate
uh when when they his first thoughts are
for the Fallen when when they defeat
Macbeth and they enter the castle and
here they are here at the end when when
when order has been restored and the the
crown is is waiting to be put on
Malcolm's head he doesn't run up to it
and say yay I'm King his first thoughts
the first words out of his mouth are
very very lovely in in act 5 scene eight
he says I would I wish the friends we
miss were safely arrived those are his
first thoughts
we've liberated Scotland from the tyrant
I'm sad that my friends have perished DC
it's not yay I'm now the King this is
what Macbeth would have said he said
look at me Mom I'm King now that's what
he would have said if one that's that's
what more or less what he did do when he
did get the crown he said look Lady
Macbeth I'm a man now aren't I Mom oh my
goodness okay so he is a model ruler see
the theme video of course and and and
Below uh so here here's here's the quote
to go back to to uh to scene uh to act
four where he's testing he's testing
mcduff's uh sincerity and uh he says he
says the devilish macduff Macbeth by
many of these trains has hath sought to
win me into his power so many people
have come down from Scotland uh to try
to convince me and I've noticed I've
discovered that they're that they're
false friends and modest wisdom plucks
me from over credulous haste over
believable gullibility I I I'm not going
to be gullible like my father was see so
he so he is so he's he's a good model
ruler much closer to the model ruler uh
in in Mythic sense in a Mythic sense uh
he he is the worthy hero archetype
you've got the the great mother
archetype the great father archetype and
you've got the hero archetype that's the
child the child is the hero archetype
the one that rejuvenates the world DC
because the child has to rejuvenate the
world because the parents are going to
die so that's what the hero does it's a
really really neat archetype
anyway he does he quite literally
restores order he heals the Wasteland by
killing the the Tyrant restores the
great chain of being the conduit to
God's grace now again go back and watch
my theme video that that Wasteland great
chain of being theme is very very
important because that's what happened
to Scotland it's become a wasteland uh
he is Honorable he's not overly
ambitious that's what a hero should be
he subordinates his will to his
countries to his country's will he's
reluctant to become king as I mentioned
Jon Snow in Game of Thrones if you've
watched that it's it's the hero who
doesn't want to be the hero necessarily
they're in it not for themselves they're
not in it for themselves they're in it
for others uh he's not in that regard
he's not greedy he's not lustful he
actually says uh the the kingly virtues
again in that scene it's a kind of a
weird long scene and he actually says
you know I'm an innocent I'm pure uh I
told you that I was all these corrupt
things just to test you McDuff but I'm
actually none of those things I'm the
exact opponent of all those opposite of
all those things you see he's testing
himself too he's looked into his soul to
see who he is do you see
uh and here's where he says that here
yeah this this is what he says here he
says my first false speaking I never lie
he says I'm not a liar remember
deception and self-deception are
associated with Satan uh and the witches
equivocations that's that's a satanic
force and he says the first lie I've
ever spoke is right now upon myself I
told you that I was evil and I don't
want to be king uh that was a lie that's
the first time I've ever told a lie uh
it's a little bit
it's a little bit over the top I suppose
because all people have told lies you
can't you can't get to the age of 35
without telling a few lies I suppose but
anyway
uh what I am truly is thine and my poor
countries to command I am in your
service you are not in mind now what the
Tyrant does is that then the edible mom
you are in my command I'm not here to
serve you you are here to serve me DC
and he says I'm none of that and he
bears that out at the end as well and
this this uh this picture here really
really depicts it he understands the
weight look at the weight all of these
people are these are the smart these are
the good guys do you see and all of
these guys understand the weight of what
it means to be a ruler he understands
the weight and seriousness of power it's
not a toy for the pleasure of one's ego
in that regard we can think of him as a
Frodo figure from Lord of the Rings that
ring of power is nothing to be trifled
with and here we see that maybe this is
a depiction of the law of the from The
Lord of the Rings as well DC that's
that's the ring of power uh and and it's
not to be trifled with it's a very very
serious thing
um yes and Malcolm also says this and
what needful so at the very very end
when uh when order is being restored and
he's been given the crown he doesn't
wear it we don't see him wear it in this
in this filmed version okay he says this
and what needful else that calls Upon Us
calls upon me as the King by the grace
of Grace not by my grace not by my will
not by my wife's will by the grace of
God we will perform in measure time and
place now those words are important
because that's the restoration of order
measure
time the proper time the proper Rhythm
the proper measure and the proper
location the proper place order has been
restored from the chaos of the Wasteland
that the Tyrant has made the world DC uh
really really interesting stuff uh so so
there's there's Malcolm and McDuff is as
I've said he is the controlled muscle
and that was Shakespeare walkthrough
Macbeth character analysis I hope you
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