Ideology in Macbeth

The conversation between Malcolm and Macduff at the beginning of Act IV Scene III is a critical point of the play. Macduff has escaped the court of Macbeth because he can no longer bear Macbeth's tyranny. By doing so, he is forced to abandon all that he holds dear to him (his family). In this scene, he meets with Duncan's son Malcolm, who is in exile in England. Macduff wishes to help Malcolm defeat Macbeth …

…in nature is a tyranny" (4.3.67-8). This statement refers to the idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely. This statement becomes a general criticism of the system of monarchy as it existed in Macbeth's day. A further commentary on it is made in Act V Scene IX when Malcolm takes the throne. The virtuous Malcolm states that he wants to be even with his noble supporters, and, by doing so, destroys the evil of Macbeth's rule.