Young Siward - Wikipedia

Fictional character

Young Siward
Macbeth character
Created by	William Shakespeare
In-universe information
Affiliation	England, Macduff
Family	Siward

Young Siward is a character in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth (1606). He is the son of Siward, general of the English forces in the battle against Macbeth. Macbeth kills him in the final battle, shortly before his swordfight with Lord Macduff.

He is based on the real-life historical figure of Osbeorn Bulax.

Role in the Play

[edit]

He first appears in scene 5.2, as the English forces join with the Scottish. Lennox refers to him as one of many “unrough youths” who “protest their first of manhood.” If he is an “unrough” youth, then he is too young to grow a beard and is probably around fifteen or sixteen. Also, to protest his "first of manhood” means that he is eager to prove himself as a man.

He next appears in scenes 5.4 and 5.6 as the troops enter Birnam Wood and Malcolm orders him and his father to lead the first battalion against Macbeth.

His final appearance occurs in scene 5.7 when he comes across Macbeth and attacks, calling him “an abhorred tyrant.” Macbeth slays him and exits the stage.

In the final scene of the play, Ross informs Siward of his son’s death, saying “like a man he died.” Siward expresses his gratitude that his son died honorably, and says he is sure that his son has become a soldier of God.

Significance

[edit]

In his article about the death of Young Siward, Karl F. Zender writes:

In a play dominated by ideas and images of damnation and demoniacal possession, we should take quite seriously Young Siward’s association of Macbeth's "name" and "title" with the devil and hell. The situation here resembles Ephesians 6:10–17, where we are told that the Christian warrior should "wrestle...against the worldly governours, the princes of the darknesse of this world." As Young Siward's associations imply, Macbeth is now one of those "worldly governours," and is in league with "the princes of the darknesse." And if we recall that part of the "whole armour" mentioned in Ephesians is the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," then Young Siward's "with my sword / I'll prove the lie thou speak'st" (V. vii. 10–11) is particularly pertinent. Macbeth, in league with the prince of lies, is to be tested by the sword which is truth. But of course the analogy is incomplete. The "worldly governour" defeats the Christian warrior, and denies the analogy by saying "swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, / Brandish’d by man that's of a woman born" (V. vii. 12-13).[1]

In this sense, the battle between Macbeth and Young Siward serves two purposes. Young Siward is offering himself as champion of Christian good against the forces of darkness, and for Macbeth, his triumph over the boy is proof of his (mistaken) belief that no human can kill him. Young Siward's Christian beliefs are echoed when his father hears of his death and is assured that his son has become "God’s soldier" because of his battle against evil. Although he falls in battle, Young Siward is praised for his bravery, and in falling at the hand of Macbeth he has finally achieved manhood (this is indicated when Ross informs Siward that his son "only liv'd but till he was a man").[2]

References

[edit]

1. ^ Zender, Karl (Summer 1975). "The Death of Young Siward: Providential Order and Tragic Loss in Macbeth". Texas Studies in Literature and Language. 17 (2).
2. ^ Asp, Carolyn (Spring 1981). ""Be Bloody, Bold, and Resolute": Tragic Action and Sexual Stereotyping in "Macbeth."". Studies in Philology. 78 (2).

v t e William Shakespeare's Macbeth
Characters	Macbeth Lady Macbeth Banquo Macduff King Duncan Malcolm Donalbain Three Witches Fleance Lady Macduff Macduff's son Third Murderer Young Siward
Inspirations	Macbeth, King of Scotland Gruoch of Scotland Duncan I of Scotland Malcolm III of Scotland Donald III of Scotland Siward, Earl of Northumbria King James VI and I
Sources	Daemonologie (1597) The Witch (play) Holinshed's Chronicles Darraðarljóð
Film	1908 1909 (French) 1909 (Italian) 1911 1913 1915 1916 1922 1948 Unfinished 1971 2006 2015 The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) accolades
Television	1954 1960 US TV 1960 Australian TV 1961 1979 1981 1982 1983 1992 2010
TV / film adaptations	The Real Thing at Last (1916) Marmayogi (1951) Joe MacBeth (1955) Throne of Blood (1957) Marmayogi (1964) Macbeth (Verdi opera) (1987) Men of Respect (1990) Scotland, PA (2001) Makibefo (2001) Maqbool (2003) 2005 The Last King of Scotland (2006) Shakespeare Must Die (2012) Thane of East County (2015) Veeram (2016) Joji (2021)
Plays	Khwab-e-Hasti (1909) Voodoo Macbeth (1936) MacBird! (1967) uMabatha (1970) Macbett (1972) Cahoot's Macbeth (1979) MacHomer (1995) Just Macbeth! (2008) Sleep No More (2009) Dunsinane (2010) Sleep No More (2011)
Literary adaptations	Wyrd Sisters (1988) The Last King of Scotland (1998) Macbeth (2018)
Music	Macbeth (Johann Strauss) Piano Trios, Op. 70 (Ludwig van Beethoven) Macbeth (Arthur Sullivan, 1888) Music from Macbeth (1972) Macbeth (1990) Thane to the Throne (2000) Shakespeare's Macbeth – A Tragedy in Steel (2003) Lady Macbeth (2005) Opera Macbeth (1847, Verdi) discography Macbeth (1910, Bloch)
Art	Lady Macbeth Sleepwalking (1784) Pity (1795) The Night of Enitharmon's Joy (1795) Lady Macbeth Seizing the Daggers (1812) Macbeth (1820) The Banquet Scene in Macbeth (1840) Macbeth and the Witches (1850) Macbeth and the Three Witches (1855) Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth (1889) Lady Macbeth (1905 sculpture)
Scenes and speeches	"On the Knocking at the Gate in Macbeth" (1823) Sleepwalking Scene (5.1) "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow"
Words and phrases	"What's done is done" "Crack of doom" The Scottish Play Thane of Cawdor
In popular culture	Novels, film and theatre We Work Again Light Thickens The Deadly Affair Mécanisme de la physionomie humaine The Scottish Play Burke & Hare Television "A Witch's Tangled Hare" (1959, Looney Tunes) "The Bellero Shield" (1964, The Outer Limits) "The Movies" (1975, The Goodies) "Sense and Senility" (1987, Blackadder the Third) "The Coup" (2006, The Office) "Dial 'N' for Nerder" (2008, The Simpsons) "Four Great Women and a Manicure" (2009, The Simpsons) "The Shower Principle" (2012, 30 Rock) "The Understudy" (2014, Inside No. 9)
Other	The Scottish Play The Ruins of Cawdor House of Cards (UK, 1990) House of Cards (US, 2013–2018) Something Wicked This Way Comes (Ray Bradbury) Gargoyles
Related	Birnam Oak