Malcolm (Macbeth)
| Malcolm | |
|---|---|
| Creator | William Shakespeare |
| Play | Macbeth |
| Date | c.1603–1607 |
| Source | Holinshed's Chronicles |
| Family |
King Duncan, father Donalbain, younger brother |
| Role | Natural heir to the throne and rival of Macbeth |
| See also | Malcolm III of Scotland |
Malcolm is a character in William Shakespeare's Macbeth (c.1603–1607). The character is based on the historical king Malcolm III of Scotland, and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of Britain. He is the elder son of King Duncan, the heir to the throne, and brother to Donalbain. In the end, he regains the throne after mustering support to overthrow Macbeth.
Malcolm, like his father, represents order. He first appears in Act I, scene 2 (1.2), where he is talking to a sergeant, with Duncan about Macbeth's exploits on the field of battle. Malcolm later appears in Act 1.4 talking about the execution of the former Thane of Cawdor with Duncan. Macbeth then enters and receives congratulations for his victory. In Act 1.4, Duncan declares Malcolm to be his heir ("We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland" – Duncan, Act 1.4 37–39). This act frustrates Macbeth.
Malcolm is a guest at Macbeth's castle when Macbeth kills Malcolm's father, Duncan, in Act 2.2. Malcolm and his brother are informed of the death in Act 2.3. Because they are suspected of the murder, Malcolm is not immediately declared the king. Under suspicion and implicit threat, he and his brother decide to flee Scotland after the murder. While Donalbain flees to Ireland, Malcolm flees to England ("To show an unfelt sorrow is an office Which the false man does easy. I'll to England." - Malcolm Act 2.3 138–39; "To Ireland I; our separated fortune Shall keep us both safer. Where we are There's daggers in men's smiles;" – Donalbain, Act 2.3 140–2). Their flight heightens their suspicion ("Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons, Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed." – Macduff, Act 2.4 25–27), while Macbeth assumes their father's throne.
In Act 4.1, Macbeth sees three apparitions summoned by the Three Witches, with Malcolm's Act 5.4 approach to the Dunsinane Castle with tree branches being the final one. Act 4.3 presents irony with Macduff needing to prove his loyalty and Malcolm needing to prove his worthiness. In Act 4.3, Malcolm talks to Macduff about his loyalties and what to do. Upon hearing Macduff cast aspersions upon Macbeth ("Not in the legions Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned In evils to top Macbeth." – Macduff, Act 4.3 55–57), Malcolm feigns his own vices to further test Macduff. Macduff responds that he too would have such vices if he were king and then signals his loyalty to Scotland ("O Scotland, Scotland!" – Macduff, Act 4.3 100). They concur that maybe no one is fit to rule such a fine land. This leads Malcolm to trust Macduff ("Macduff, this noble passion, Child of integrity, hath from my soul Wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts To thy good truth and honor." – Malcolm, Act 4.3 114– 17). Upon news that Macduff's family was slain, Malcolm urges Macduff to take arms with him against Macbeth ("Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it." – Malcolm, Act 4.3 228–229). Macduff agrees it is time to seek vengeance ("Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself; Within my sword's length set him. If he 'scape, Heaven forgive him too!" – Macduff, Act 4.3 233–35) as the scene ends. In the scene Malcolm learns that manhood is more than aggression when Macduff tells him that he must also grieve for his loss ("Dispute it like a man." – Malcolm, Act 4.3 220; "I shall do so, / But I must also feel it as a man." – Macduff, Act 4.3 220–21).
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