The short scene, in which Lady Macduff and her son share a tender, butintimate conversation serves several purposes.
Firstly, it gives us an insight about the kind of understanding the mother-son duo shared. They talked to each other frankly, letting the other in on their innermost feelings. Secondly, we understand Lady Macduff's feelings regarding her husband's unannounced exit. Macduff did not tell his wife everything, unlike Macbeth, whose wife was his 'partner in crime' and whose advice he took in everything. Macduff fleed giving his wife no prior explaination. This gave her full right to feel sorry for herself and her son's future. She was extremely upset and felt cheated by a husband, who at their wedding, had promised to be by her side at all time (marraige vows). This was the promise, she said he had broken while referring to her sons' 'traitor' question. What is important to note down though, is that eventhough she said thigns like he was a traitor, who had broken his promise and had lied and was not good a father or a husband, she said it out of anger. However, when the murderers sent my Macbeth arrive to kill her and her son, she immediately satdn up to the defence of her husbnad. Her son does as well. This shows the love they had for him. We also get a clear understanding of her son's wit and wisdom beyond his years.
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