A Sense of the Ending: Does Malcolm Earn It?

This presentation asks whether Macbeth ends literally, as traditional criticism has viewed it, or ironically, as modern criticism would have it. Its answer emphasizes Malcolm’s role by detailing the Court Scene, which tests Malcolm, not MacDuff, to establish his character, legitimacy, and competence to rule. It shows this scene as a turning point similar to turning points in English chivalric romances. As they end in celebration, so Macbeth ends in celebrating the restoration of right rule