English: Macbeth Malcolm: A Good King?
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Malcolm is one of the more cautious characters in the play. He has the ability to realise appearances can be deceitful and that the person on the outside may not be as innocent as he or she is putting across.
As Duncan’s son he is the natural heir to the throne and is eventually made king at the end of the play after the death of Macbeth. Malcolm has a reasonably good relationship with his somewhat naïve father.
After his father’s death he is full of sorrow and wants to express his feelings. He feels all the attention is on Macbeth and his wife who seem to be displaying grief in the extreme. Malcolm feels that Macbeth is reacting without giving Malcolm his place. He says, “Why do we hold our tongues, that most may claim this argument for ours?” He is already having doubts about Macbeth’s version of his father’s death. He realises that his own life may be in danger. “To show an unfelt sorrow is an office which the false man does easy. I’ll go to England.”
