Siward

Also known as: Old Siward / old Siward · Family: England · Role: warrior · First appears: Macbeth · Act III, Scene VI

At the English court in Act III, Macduff sought Edward’s aid to awaken Northumberland and Siward against Macbeth, joining Siward with them as an ally. In Act IV, Siward set forth from England with ten thousand warlike men, and Malcolm announced that England had lent them for Scotland’s liberation, calling Siward “An older and a better soldier none / That Christendom gives out.”

By Act V, Siward was Malcolm’s uncle and led the approaching English power with Macduff toward Birnam wood, opposed to Macbeth. He marched with Menteith, Caithness, Angus, Lennox, and Ross, then advanced with Malcolm’s forces as they discarded their leafy screens before the attack. When the castle surrendered, Siward showed fealty to Malcolm: “This way, my lord;—the castle’s gently render’d.”

Relationship record

Life events

• Macduff seeks Edward’s aid to awaken Northumberland and Siward against Macbeth.(Macbeth · Act III, Scene VI · 📍 English court)
  • With: Macduff Edward Northumberland
  • “Thither Macduff Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid To wake Northumberland, and warlike Siward”
• Old Siward sets forth with ten thousand warlike men against Macbeth.(Macbeth · Act IV, Scene III · 📍 England)
  • “Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men, Already at a point, was setting forth.”
• Malcolm announces that England has lent Siward and ten thousand men for Scotland’s liberation.(Macbeth · Act IV, Scene III · 📍 England)
  • With: Malcolm
  • “Gracious England hath Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men; An older and a better soldier none That Christendom gives out.”
• Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff lead the approaching English power toward Birnam wood.(Macbeth · Act V, Scene II · 📍 Birnam wood)
  • With: Malcolm Macduff
  • “The English power is near, led on by Malcolm, His uncle Siward, and the good Macduff. Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm Excite the mortified man. ANGUS. Near Birnam wood Shall we well meet them. That way are they coming.”
• Malcolm orders the army to discard its leafy screens and reveal itself before attacking Macbeth.(Macbeth · Act V, Scene VI)
  • With: Malcolm Macduff
  • “Now near enough. Your leafy screens throw down, And show like those you are.”
• The castle surrenders as Malcolm and old Siward’s forces advance.(Macbeth · Act V, Scene VII)
  • With: Malcolm
  • “This way, my lord;—the castle’s gently render’d:”