Sc. 2, Lines 32–50: What evidence of the son’s maturity is in these lines? Describe the son’s character in one or two words.

Answer 1

The Son's maturity is demonstrated by his clever rhetoric and the careful manner of his interaction with his mother. He jokes with her about serious matters to keep her spirits up, all the while reassuring her of his faith in Macduff: "My father is not dead, for all your saying." In making light of their predicament, he puts on a brave face for Lady Macduff, wanting to put her at ease after her heated interaction with Ross. These actions are those of a mature person who understands that the feelings of others sometimes come before our own. The child comforts the parent who once did the same for him. To do so he uses smart rhetoric and applies clever retorts to all his mothers assertions, thus showing the maturity of his intellect.

In one or two words, I would say the Son is clever (witty, Shakespeare would say) and empathetic.