Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 8 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macduff has just killed Macbeth. The stage direction at the beginning of the excerpt has been expanded.Re-enter MACDUFF, with MACBETH’S head in one hand and MACBETH’S crown and sword in the other.Macduff. [To MALCOLM.] Hail, king! for so thou art: behold, where standsThe usurper’s cursed head: the time is free:I see thee compass’d with thy kingdom’s pearl,That speak my salutation in their minds;Whose voices I desire aloud with mine:Hail, King of Scotland!All. Hail, King of Scotland!
Macduff presents Macbeth’s severed head and declares that “the time is free,” meaning Scotland is released from the usurper’s rule. He then hails Malcolm as king, and everyone joins in the celebratory greeting. These details create a triumphant mood, rather than unease or contempt.
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