Although there are many examples of the various forms of
conflict apparent in Shakespeare's Macbeth (even man vs the
supernatural or God), there are a long list of examples of man vs man as
well.
Quite literally, there is the battle that Duncan and
his men are involved in as the play begins. When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth argue about
killing Duncan, this is man vs man. Of course, other examples would begin with Macbeth's
murder of Duncan, the murderers killing Banquo, and Macbeth's men killing Macduff's
family.
An interesting example of this conflict is also
seen when Macduff approaches Malcolm, Duncan's son (who fled to England when his father
was murdered). In this scene, Malcolm does not trust Macduff as he is a member of
Macbeth's court, and Malcolm (rightful heir to the Scottish throne) wrongly suspects
that Macduff may be in league with Macbeth, having come to England to kill him. When
word arrives regarding the slaughter of Macduff's family, Malcolm realizes Macduff has
sacrificed all to be there in an effort to save Scotland from the tyrant
Macbeth.
There is conflict toward the end of the play, of
course, when Macbeth kills young Siward in battle. Over his dead body, Macbeth boasts
(foolishly still believing the witches' misleading predictions)
that the young man died because he "was born of a woman" and Macbeth fears no
man.
readability="9">MACBETH:
Thou
wast born of woman.But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to
scorn,Brandish'd by man that's of a woman born.
(V.vii.15-17)Ultimately,
Macbeth faces a vengeful Macduff, believing that Macduff cannot defeat him. Telling
Macduff he is wasting his time in trying to defeat a "charmed" Macbeth, he declares that
anyone born of a woman (every one) cannot kill Macbeth. To Macduff, the villainous
Macbeth says:readability="14">Thou losest
labor.As easy mayst thou the intrenchant
airWith thy keen sword impress as make me
bleed:Let fall thy blade on vulnerable
crests;I bear a charmed life, which must not
yieldTo one of woman born.
(V.viii.12-16)However,
Macduff attacks Macbeth advising him to tell the evil beings he serves that Macduff was
not "born" in the traditional way, but through Caesarian
section.readability="10">MACDUFF:
Despair
thy charm,And let the angel whom thou still hast
servedTell thee, Macduff was from his mother's
wombUntimely ripp'd. (lines
17-20)Macduff then kills
Macbeth in battle. There are other examples, but this includes the
highlights.
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