Faith J. answered • 06/30/19
MEd in ELA Teacher Leadership with 12 years teaching experience
The irony of Malcolm's speech in Act 4, Scene 3, lines 8-17 can be found in his words to Macduff. Malcolm has fled at the rise of Macbeth and upon meeting with Macduff wonders if Macduff is one with whom he can place his trust. As they discuss the situation, Malcolm refers to Macbeth as one who was "once thought honest" (line 13), who was loved by Macduff, and who had yet to harm Macduff. This lack of harm from Macbeth may prove to show Macduff's alliance to Macbeth and Malcolm questions this of Macduff in order to determine where Macduff's loyalties lie. The irony is that Ross is on his way to deliver tragic news to Macduff, who has in fact been touched by Macbeth's evil hand in that he had Macduff's wife and children slaughtered.
