The difference between "honorable" and "dishonorable" violence lies at the root of the reasons for the violence itself. In Act I, scene II, Macbeth is revered for his acts of honorable violence, namely his bravery and prowess in fighting off Macdonwald's rebellion and the Norwegian invasion,
For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name),
Disdaining Fortune, with brandished steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution. (1.2 18-20)
His victory and the subsequent disembowelment/decapitation of Macdonwald are described in graphic detail, and Macbeth is celebrated for them. However, as Macbeth's ambition grows and he is corrupted by the power he gains, he begins to commit acts of violence that are not brave, but treacherous. He enters into the first of these acts, the murder of King Duncan, knowing in his heart that it is dishonorable. But his ambition drives him on. He murders King Duncan in order to take the crown for himself. The act is done in the middle of the night, while Duncan is staying at Macbeth's castle. Immediately afterward, Macbeth expresses regret and paranoia that his act will be discovered.
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash the bloodClean from my hand? No, this my hand will ratherThe multitudinous seas incarnadine,Making the green one red. (2.2 78-81)
Despite his regret, Macbeth continues to commit dishonorable acts, later having his best friend killed as well as the family of Macduff. As the play continues, Macbeth's reputation changes from that of a celebrated, honorable hero to that of a treacherous, dishonorable tyrant.
Conversely, Macduff is celebrated for acts of violence because they are considered honorable, just as Macbeth's slaying of Macdonwald. The violence committed by Macduff is against the tyrannous Macbeth and thus deemed justified.
Macduff is one of the first characters to suspect Macbeth of foul play, to the point of not going to Scone to see Macbeth crowned. As Scotland begins to deteriorate under Macbeth's reign, Macduff becomes even more suspicous and eventually travels to England to try to convince Malcolm, the rightful king, to return and overthrow Macbeth. While there, he is also informed of the slaughter of his family, at which time he vows to kill Macbeth. Malcolm supports Macduff's desire for revenge, stating,
Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief
Convert to anger. Blunt not the heart; enrage it. (4.3 268-269)
Macduff's intentions are not only considered honorable, but are also sanctioned by the rightful heir to the throne. At the end of the play, when Macduff finally confronts Macbeth, the tyrant himself understands Macduff's wish to kill him, saying,
Of all men else I have avoided thee.
But get thee back. My soul is too much chargedWith blood of thine already. (5.8 6-7)
Macbeth has avoided Macduff because he understands that Macduff's desire for vengeance is honorable. Just as Macbeth killed and decapitated the treacherous Macdonwald, so does Macduff kill and decapitate the now-treacherous Macbeth. From the first act to the final act, Macbeth has shifted from brave and honored hero to cowardly and dishonorable villain. Macbeth and Macduff illuminate that in the world of Shakespeare, it is not violence that is condemned or condoned, but rather the reasons for the violence.
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