Malcolm Timeline and Summary

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Malcolm Timeline and Summary

  • 1.1: Malcolm points out the good, bleeding Captain to his father, because if it weren't for the Captain, Malcolm would've been a captive of the Irish forces. He is full of praise for this good and bleeding man.
  • 1.4: Malcolm informs his father that the Thane of Cawdor died nobly, confessing his treason and repenting it deeply. His compliment to Cawdor is backhanded, as he claims "nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it."
  • 2.3: Malcolm hears of his father's death that night, and asks who has done it. Macbeth dominates the scene with his woe over their father's death, and Malcolm privately speaks to his little brother, Donalbain, about why Macbeth is giving the speeches that should be theirs. Donalbain is suspicious, and the two are too shocked yet to be grief stricken or vengeful. Malcolm says they won't tarry any longer where the murderer might still be, as foul things are clearly afoot. He goes off to England and Donalbain goes to Ireland. They can tell this definitely isn't over, but safer to deal with from a distance.
  • 4.3: Malcolm and Macduff are in England urging the assistance of Siward and King Edward to take arms against Macbeth, who is revealed by this time as a tyrant. Malcolm is still unsteady of Macduff's intentions, and concocts an elaborate story about how he wouldn't be a better ruler than Macbeth, because he is so lusty that he would do lots of evil things to satisfy his lust. He insists how terrible he would be, and as Macduff finally despairs, Malcolm admits that he made up all these lies to test Macduff's purpose.
  • Satisfied, he commits to fighting alongside Siward with the English forces to take back Scotland. He then chats with a doctor about King Edward's ability to cure scrofula with his touch. After, Malcolm greets Ross, who has come from Scotland, and assures him they are all eager to fight Macbeth's tyranny. Malcolm, upon hearing of the murder of Macduff's family, encourages Macduff to use that rage in revenge against Macbeth. All are only more firm in their resolve.
  • 5.4: Malcolm hatches the plan to cover all the soldiers with boughs to hide their numbers. He announces that they should have hope, as even the men that fight alongside Macbeth do not believe in his cause.
  • 5.6: Malcolm leads the charge for the soldiers to throw off their trees and begin the fight. Siward and his son will lead the battle, and Macduff and Malcolm will take care of the rest.
  • 5.8: Malcolm misses the friends that have not yet returned from the fray of battle, and hearing that his cousin young Siward is dead, promises he will graciously mourn him his whole worth, taking up where his uncle leaves off. After Macduff returns with Macbeth's head, Malcolm is hailed as King. He declares a new age will be ushered in, where the valiant warriors will be rewarded for their service, and those who helped Macbeth will be called to account. He names all the Scottish thanes as earls, an English title that is new to their country. He promises all other matters that will settle the country to normalcy will come soon, and invites everyone to his coronation at Scone.