Scene VII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Fate vs. Free Will

  Macbeth clings to the witches' prophecy that he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman, yet his fate is about to be overturned by Macduff's unnatural birth.

• Violence and Masculinity

  Young Siward's challenge and death, along with Macduff's vengeful quest, highlight the brutal assertion of masculine honor through combat.

Characters to notice

• Macbeth

  Resigned to fight but confident in the witches' prophecy that no man born of woman can harm him; kills Young Siward.

• Young Siward

  Bravely confronts Macbeth, calling him a tyrant, but is slain in combat.

• Macduff

  Seeks Macbeth personally to avenge the murder of his wife and children.

• Malcolm

  Leads the assault on the castle, noting the enemy's weak resistance.

• Siward

  Reports the castle's surrender and the thanes' bravery, urging Malcolm to enter.

Key passages

• “They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly, But, bear-like, I must fight the course.”

  I am trapped like a bear at a stake, unable to escape, so I must fight to the end.

  Macbeth acknowledges his hopeless situation but resolves to fight desperately.

• “Thou wast born of woman But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, Brandish'd by man that's of a woman born.”

  Since you were born from a woman, I mock your weapons and laugh at your sword.

  Macbeth's confidence in the witches' prophecy leads him to dismiss Young Siward as a threat.

• “If thou be'st slain and with no stroke of mine, My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still.”

  If you are killed by someone else, the ghosts of my wife and children will never leave me in peace.

  Macduff is driven by personal vengeance and guilt, needing to kill Macbeth himself.