Malcolm (Macbeth)

The character is based on the historical king Malcolm III of Scotland, and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of Britain.

[2] He first appears in Act I, scene 2 (1.2), where he is talking to a sergeant, with Duncan about Macbeth's exploits on the field of battle.

Macduff agrees it is time to seek vengeance ("Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself; / Within my sword's length set him.

In the scene Malcolm learns that manhood is more than aggression when Macduff tells him that he must also grieve for his loss ("Dispute it like a man."

Malcolm raises an army in England,[5] and marches on Scotland with Macduff to reclaim his birthright from Macbeth.

The Scottish noblemen lend their support to restore order to the land after observing Macbeth's extreme behaviour.

In Act 5.4, Malcolm confers with Englishman Siward (the Elder) and his officers about strategies for obscuring their forces ("Let very soldier hew him down a bough / And bear't before him.

– Malcolm, 5.4 4–7) and about Macbeth's defence plans ("We learn no other but the confident tyrant / Keeps still in Dunsinane, and will endure / Our setting down before't."

In Act 5.6, the battle commences as Malcolm, Macduff and Siward command forces against Dunsinane Castle.

He and his allies are "God's soldiers" and their eventual victory marks a restoration of moral order according to Barnet.

[1] After deposing Macbeth and resuming his rightful place, Malcolm delivers the final words of the play as a speech contrasting himself and the former tyrant.

[6] The ending of Macbeth is viewed by some reviewers as failing to meet expectations, theorized to be due to it being anti-climactic because Macbeth is killed by Macduff, rather than Malcolm or Fleance, who are perceived to have greater reasons to seek vengeance.