Malcolm
Malcolm, fictional character, a son of Duncan, king of Scotland, who is murdered by the nobleman Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s tragic play Macbeth, written sometime in 1606–07 and published in the First Folio of 1623.
Historical background
The character is based on Malcolm III Canmore, a son of Duncan I, who ruled Scotland from 1034 to 1040 ce and was killed in battle by his relative Macbeth. Like his fictional counterpart, Malcolm lived in exile in England for part of Macbeth’s reign (1040–57) before killing him in battle and ascending to the Scottish throne. In 1072 Malcolm acknowledged the overlordship of William of Normandy, who had conquered England in 1066. Malcolm subsequently invaded English territory five times; on the last raid, in 1093, he was killed by forces of the English king William II Rufus. His descendants retained the throne of Scotland until the death of Queen Margaret, the Maid of Norway, in 1290.
Role in Macbeth
Malcolm’s elevation and his flight after Duncan’s assassination (Acts I–II)
Malcolm, King Duncan, and others receive news of Macbeth’s exploits on the battlefield against the rebel Thane (lord) of Cawdor and his allies, an invading Norwegian force. Malcolm assures Duncan of the thane’s death. Duncan later pronounces Malcolm “Prince of Cumberland,” making him heir to the Scottish throne and thereby inciting Macbeth’s murderous ambition.
Malcolm and his brother, Donalbain, accompany Duncan and the rest of his retinue to Macbeth’s castle in Inverness. The morning afterward the brothers are informed of Duncan’s murder. Later in the scene, they discuss their position and, fearing for their lives, decide that their best course is flight. Donalbain resolves to make for Ireland, and Malcolm goes to England. Their stealthy departure places them under suspicion of Duncan’s assassination, and Macbeth is crowned king of Scotland.
Malcolm’s triumph (Acts IV–V)
Macbeth is warned by the Weird Sisters to “beware Macduff,” the Thane of Fife, who has been a loyal companion of Duncan’s. Macduff flees to England, where he finds Malcolm and urges him to wage war against Macbeth. Suspicious, Malcolm tests Macduff to ascertain his loyalty before revealing that he has raised an army of English troops (he is later joined by rebel Scottish troops). Malcolm appears in several scenes of the last act: he devises a strategy of camouflage using branches from Birnam Wood (this fulfills a prophecy by the Weird Sisters about Macbeth’s downfall); he then leads his army to Dunsinane and defeats Macbeth’s forces. At the end of the play, Macduff presents Malcolm with Macbeth’s severed head, and Malcolm invites everyone present to his coronation.
Character appraisal
Macbeth’s reign of terror throws Scotland into chaos, symbolized by the occurrence of unnatural events, such as birds turning on their predators and horses attacking their grooms and fleeing the stables. Malcolm’s defeat of the usurper represents the restoration of the natural order. Early in the play, after the discovery of Duncan’s murder, Malcolm privately expresses skepticism and distrust of the noblemen at the scene, whose display of grief may have been feigned. Hence he tells Donalbain,
Let’s not consort with them.
To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
Which the false man does easy.
When Malcolm and Macduff meet in England, Malcolm suspects him of spying for Macbeth. He counters Macduff’s proposal of war on Macbeth with a litany of his own alleged failings—including “voluptuousness,” “stanchless avarice,” and lack of kingly virtues, such as “justice,” “mercy,” and “courage.” He then asks Macduff if one such as he is “fit to govern.” After Macduff replies, “No, not to live,” Malcolm relents and reveals that he plans to retake Scotland with the help of an English army.
