Macbeth Violence Quotes Page 4

After Macduff learns that his family has been slaughtered, his attitude toward violence and grief seem to change slightly. Before (see 4.3.1 above), he insisted that violence should replace grief altogether. Here, however, he acknowledges that he must take the time to "feel" the loss of his family before he can take action or, "dispute" his family's death.

When Siward learns that his son was killed in battle, he takes comfort in knowing that he "had his hurts before" (his wounds were on the "front" of his body), evidence that he faced his opponent head on. (If he had wounds in his back, it would have appeared that he was running away from his killer, like a "coward.") For Siward, a heroic death in battle is the best possible way for a young man to die.