There are plenty of characters in Macbeth, but among them, who is Siward in Macbeth? Siward is the Earl of Northumberland. Though he is often unnoticed, he is a powerful leader of the English forces. Siward supports Malcolm in his quest to reclaim the Scottish throne. He is quite the opposite of Macbeth as he withholds the honor and duty of a loyal martial man.
Who is Siward in Macbeth?
Siward is the general of the English army. He is known as the Earl of Northumberland. He supports righteousness as he supports the former king Duncan’s son Malcolm who is the rightful heir after King Duncan was killed by Macbeth. Shakespeare portrayed him as courageous. He too suffers as his son, Young Siward, dies at the hand of Macbeth.
Shakespeare got the inspiration for the character Siward from a historical figure. There was actually a man named Siward who lived in the 11th century. He was a prominent figure in the politics of both England and Scotland. Siward counterbalances the ambitious Macbeth. He is the epitome of commitment as he stoically accepts his father’s death and supports the right cause as he thinks Malcolm is the right one to reign Scotland. Siward plans with Malcolm to overcome tyranny and provides military support when he needs it the most. He also played a significant role in the war as he marched his troops skillfully against the force of Macbeth in Dunsinane.
Earl of Northumberland
Siward holds one of the most powerful positions in England. He has proven himself on the battlefield with his bravery and strategic intelligence. Eventually, he becomes a critical ally for Malcolm and together they thwart the oppressor and reclaim the crown.
Siward in Macbeth is respected for his leadership qualities. He is a formidable military leader and his support for Malcolm strengthened his claim for the throne. Every warrior in the English army is disciplined and loyal to him, showing his prowess as a military leader. These are the primary answers to the question of who is Siward in Macbeth.
Appearance and Role of Siward
Siward comes to Scotland in support of Malcolm to help restore order in the country with the English force. His support is crucial for Malcolm as he alone has little chance to remove Macbeth from ruling Scotland. This alliance between two noblemen dictates the fate of the characters of the play and he eventually gets the order back. Siward brings a lot to the table as he provides Malcolm with military force and moral justification.
First Appearance
Siward first appears in the scene in Act 4, Scene 3. There he meets with both Macduff and Malcolm. Three of them become allies in the mission to overthrow Macbeth. Together, they make a foolproof plan and command the force with authority. He has a big brain that aids Malcolm and his strategic input is fruitful.
Final Battle
Siward plays a great role in the final play in Act 5, Scene 2. He joins rebel forces alongside Malcolm and Macduff to fight Macbeth in Dunsinane. He leads the charge with strategic brilliance and executes it perfectly to land victory against the tyrant.
Siward is the one who commands his troops to use the Birnam tree to disguise their numbers on the battlefield fulfilling the notorious witches’ prophecy. This is a key move from Siward and it forecasts the downfall of Macbeth. Eventually, Macbeth is slain at the hands of Malcolm.
Relationship with other Characters
Interaction with Malcolm
So, who is Siward in Macbeth, and what is his relationship with other characters? Siward strengthens the cause for Malcolm to become king. His alliance with Malcolm boosts his credibility as the legitimate king of Scotland. Siward believes in the legitimate line of succession and thinks the right ruler should rule.
Siward, like a mentor, nurtures the character of Malcolm. He provides Malcolm with guidance and wisdom to refine his character. In the long run, it helps Malcolm gain confidence and it also enhances his leadership skills making him a great ruler.
Interaction with Macbeth
Siward is the complete opposite of Macbeth. Every soldier in his army plays a significant role in overwhelming Macbeth’s defenses. This shows how disciplined his army is. He even moves an entire forest in a cunning move to surprise the forces of Macbeth.
Siward is determined to overthrow the usurper Macbeth at any cost. He is only committed to justice and wants the rightful king to rule for the overall good of both Scotland and England. All this describes the value of who is Siward in Macbeth.
Young Siward in Macbeth
Siward’s son, Young Siward, is just like him and is full of bravery. In Act 5, Scene 7 he challenges Macbeth for a dual. He knows the reputation of Macbeth as a great fighter still he wants to confront him. He asks Macbeth,
“What is thy name?”
Eventually, Young Siward loses the fight. Though he lost it he proved himself a worthy man as he fought till the end without retreating. This is a noble sacrifice and an example of duty over everything else.
“Had I as many sons as I have hairs,
I would not wish them to a fairer death.”
Old Siward, the Young Siward’s father, accepts the death without showing any grief. He knows his son has done his duty and this makes him proud. His nonchalant acceptance highlights his commitment to martial values. It answers the question of who is old Siward in Macbeth as we see how strong he is as a leader.
Siward’s contribution to the Play
Martial Honor and Duty
Siward is the epitome of valor. His sacrifice and commitment to his duty personify him as a noble man and his character highlights the theme of loyalty and righteousness in the play “Macbeth.”. He prefers honorable death to oppression and is ready to do what is necessary for the greater cause.
Moral Decay
Siward’s character is opposite to Macbeth’s. Macbeth is treacherous while Siward represents loyalty. He is not afraid of any personal loss while Macbeth is selfish and ruthless in achieving his agenda.
Siward shows the way with his strategic leadership. Both Malcolm and Macduff are inexperienced in battle and Siaward plays a significant role in securing victory against their opponent. Siward wanted to see a stable neighbor in Scotland. He is willing to sacrifice his son to do so. He declares,
“Fare you well.
Do we but find the tyrant’s power tonight,
Let us be beaten, if we cannot fight.”
These show his commitment to the cause. He wants just man to oversee Scotland. Eventually, he achieves it and proves who is Siward in Macbeth and his worth. Shakespeare uses many symbols like bird and omen but Siward here is a symbol of bravery.
Contrast with Macbeth
Siward Macbeth relationship is an interesting one. Throughout the play, we see Siward as a man of integrity. While Macbeth betrays the people who helped him in many ways. Siward is the complete opposite of this. He is ethical, while Macbeth only thinks about his own gain. He rose to power through betrayal and engaged himself in further violent acts to secure his position.
Macbeth’s rise to power is an example of ruthless ambition. He soaks his hand in blood and uses treachery to become the king of Scotland. In contrast, Siward stands tall for the right cause and ultimately delivers justice.
Siward, through his action, proves that honor and dedication are the ultimate decider of fate. He leaves behind a legacy of bravery and sets an example of commitment that champions the right cause.
Final Thoughts
Now we know the details about who is Siward in Macbeth. Siward stands for honor and martial duty. He does what is right for the overall well-being of people. Siward plays a great role in securing peace in Scotland by defeating the usurper Macbeth and helping Malcolm ascend the throne. He also makes a noble sacrifice as his son, Young Siward, dies in the duel against Macbeth. In the end, he leaves a lasting legacy with his strong personality.
