Who says Lay on Macduff and damned be him that first cries hold enough?

This imperative, straight from Shakespeare’s Macbeth (5.7), consists of Macbeth’s final words before he is killed by MacduffMacduffLord Macduff, the Thane of Fife, is a character and the main antagonist in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (c. 1603–1607) that is loosely based on history. Macduff, a legendary hero, plays a pivotal role in the play: he suspects Macbeth of regicide and eventually kills Macbeth in the final act.

Who said Lay on Macduff?

Macbeth

Definition of Lay on, Macduff
A line from the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare. Macbeth speaks these words as he attacks his enemy Macduff at the end of the play; Macbeth is killed in the fight.

What does Lay on Macduff and damned be him that first cries hold enough mean?

Used in any situation calling for vigorous action, the imperative phrase lay on, Macduff means go ahead (and give it your best effort).

Why does Macbeth say Lay on Macduff?

‘Lead on Macduff’ is an invitation for someone to take the lead and that you will follow on. But as any keen Shakespearian or wordsmith will tell you, this is a misquotation from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 8. The phrase should be ‘lay on’ which means to make a vigorous attack.

What does Macbeth say to Macduff before they fight?

I will not yield, To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet, And to be baited with the rabble’s curse. I throw my warlike shield.

What does Malcolm say to Macduff?

Disconcerted by Macduff’s outburst, Malcolm tells him to keep his emotions in check, to “Dispute it like a man.” His idea is the familiar one that real men don’t cry, but Macduff knows better, and says, “I shall do so; / But I must also feel it as a man” (4.3. 220-221).

What does Ross say about Macduff?

Or, in Ross’s words, “we hold rumour / From what we fear, yet know not what we fear, / But float upon a wild and violent sea / Each way and none” (4.2. 22). Thus Ross suggests that even if Macduff did flee because he was afraid, he probably had good reason to be afraid, because Macbeth makes everyone afraid.

What does Macduff scream in Act 5?

Act 5, Scene 7
Macbeth kills Young Siward, the son of one of the English commanders. Macduff searches frantically for Macbeth, vowing that he and he alone should kill the king.

What does Macduff call Macbeth when he sees him at the final battle?

It is now Macduff’s turn to mock Macbeth: He calls him “coward” and promises to have him publicly displayed — “baited with the rabble’s curse” with a sign painted with the words “Here may you see the tyrant.”

What does Macduff threaten to do to Macbeth?



When Macduff announces that he is not, strictly speaking, a man born of woman, having been ripped prematurely from his mother’s womb, then Macbeth is afraid to fight. He fights with Macduff only when Macduff threatens to capture him and display him as a public spectacle.

What does Macduff’s son say when he is killed?

The three murderers arrive. When they say that Macduff was a traitor, the boy bravely leaps forward and defends his father. Sadly, upon doing this, one of the murderers stabs him. Before he dies however, he tells his mother to run away.

What does Macbeth say to Mcduff?

Macbeth mocks Macduff, saying his effort is wasted: no one of woman born can beat Macbeth. But Macduff replies that he was “untimely ripped” from his mother’s womb (line 16).

Where does the phrase lead on Macduff?

In the final scene of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth, brought to bay by the wronged Macduff, challenges his enemy and nemesis to fight in the last words he speaks in the play: Lay on, Macduff; And damned be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough! ‘