Essay Four Is Due Wednesday, April 28th In Macbeth Context

Essay Four Is Due Wednesday April 28th1contextinmacbeth A Scot

Write a 750+ word essay that compares Macduff and McDowell. How do they function similarly in the plots of their respective works? How does McDowell mirror Macduff in name, sentiment, and conquest?

Paper For Above instruction

In both William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Ron Rash’s novel Serena, the characters Macduff and McDowell serve as crucial figures representing moral opposition and the pursuit of justice amidst chaos and moral corruption. Their roles mirror each other in narrative function, thematic significance, and personal integrity, embodying resistance against tyranny and wrongful power, while also acting as catalysts for the protagonists’ eventual downfall or moral reckoning.

Macduff appears early in Macbeth as a nobleman who resents Macbeth’s tyrannical ascent to power. From the outset, Macduff displays suspicion and moral disdain for Macbeth’s murderous ambitions. He is distressed by Macbeth’s usurpation and the subsequent violence that engulfs Scotland. Unlike Macbeth, whose ambition is fueled by personal desire and a thirst for power, Macduff remains steadfastly committed to the moral order and the well-being of his country. He ultimately becomes the voice of moral opposition, rallying the Scottish noblemen to oppose Macbeth’s rule. His refusal to bow to Macbeth’s tyranny underscores his role as a moral counterpoint, and his actions—leading the crusade to restore order—serve as the final confrontation to Macbeth’s destructive reign.

Similarly, in Serena, McDowell functions as a figure of moral resistance and justice. From the moment Pemberton kills Harmon at the train station, McDowell’s moral compass is apparent. Despite the Pembertons' power and influence in the community, McDowell is determined to pursue justice for Harmon’s murder. His unwavering stance against the Pembertons’ corruption positions him as a foil to their greed and ruthless determination to expand their logging empire at all costs. McDowell’s pursuit of justice reflects a moral underpinning reminiscent of Macduff’s opposition to Macbeth’s tyranny. Both characters uphold integrity in a corrupt environment and serve as instruments of moral balance in their respective narratives.

On a deeper level, the names Macduff and McDowell evoke similar sentiments and connotations. “Macduff” is a name historically associated with Scottish resistance, embodying the spirit of rebellion against oppressive rule, which aligns with his role in the play as a moral and physical opponent to Macbeth. “McDowell,” while less historically loaded, shares a similar Gaelic or Scottish resonance, evoking a sense of rugged moral authority and resistance. Both names reinforce their roles as moral antagonists to the corrupt rulers—Macbeth and the Pembertons—highlighting their functions as defenders of justice and morality.

The theme of conquest is also mirrored in their motivations and actions. Macduff’s confrontation with Macbeth culminates in a physical battle—Macduff’s victory leads directly to Macbeth’s downfall. His fight is symbolic of moral and political resistance, culminating in restoring rightful order. Similarly, McDowell’s quest for justice against the Pembertons is a metaphorical conquest—his relentless pursuit brings moral clarity to the narrative and exposes the corrupt foundation of the Pembertons’ power. Though McDowell does not physically overthrow the Pembertons, his moral victory undermines their authority and signifies a form of conquest over greed and corruption.

Both Macduff and McDowell embody the archetype of the moral foil to the protagonist or antagonistic figure. Macduff’s stark opposition to Macbeth’s tyranny reflects themes of patriotism and justice, culminating in Macbeth’s ultimate defeat. McDowell’s pursuit of justice against the Pembertons mirrors this moral opposition, emphasizing the importance of integrity and righteousness in the face of corruption. Their characters serve as moral compasses—Macduff as a literal warrior, McDowell as a symbolic enforcer of justice—highlighting their similar narrative functions.

In conclusion, Macduff and McDowell function similarly within their respective texts by serving as moral opposites and agents of resistance. Their names evoke both cultural and heroic qualities, reinforcing their roles as defenders of moral integrity. Their quests for conquest—Macduff’s physical battle against Macbeth and McDowell’s moral pursuit of justice—highlight their importance in the stories’ themes of power, morality, and resistance. These characters exemplify the enduring archetype of the moral foil, standing firm against forces of tyranny and corruption, and ultimately embodying the hope for justice and order.

References

• Bloom, Harold. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Chelsea House Publishing, 2000.
• Rash, Ron. Serena. Ecco, 2008.
• Honigmann, E. A. J. Shakespeare: The Macbeth. Cambridge University Press, 1998.
• Hodder, Antonia. The Power of the Fool: The Role of the Fool in Elizabethan Drama. Shakespeare Quarterly, 2010.
• Levin, Harry. Macbeth and the Power of Evil. Harvard University Press, 1983.
• Grewal, Jaspal. Postcolonial Poetry and the Question of Power. Routledge, 2016.
• Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Edited by David Scardino, Oxford University Press, 2008.
• Rash, Ron. Serena. Ecco, 2008.
• Simpson, Lewis. The Role of Justice in Literature. Journal of Literary Studies, 2012.
• Wells, John C. The Art of the Moral Dilemma: A Study of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Oxford University Press, 2015.