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 stands The 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! What does the added stage direction most contribute to this scene?
Macduff enters displaying Macbeth’s head, crown, and sword, making the defeat of the usurper visible to everyone. The nobles then hail Malcolm as king, so the added stage direction reinforces the scene’s triumphant mood. It does not mainly create unease, respect, or contempt.
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