for from broad words, and ’cause he fail’d / His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear, / Macduff lives in disgrace.
Act III, Scene 6 · Lennox
Context
Lennox explains that Macduff is now out of favor with Macbeth because Macduff spoke too freely ("broad words") and did not attend Macbeth's recent banquet. Lennox directly calls Macbeth "the tyrant" while reporting Macduff's disgrace.
Analysis
Calling Macbeth "the tyrant" is the first moment Lennox drops his ironic mask and names the regime plainly. The phrase "broad words"—meaning frank or unguarded speech—becomes dangerous in a world where even attendance at a feast is monitored for signs of disloyalty. By linking Macduff's absence to his disgrace, Shakespeare shows how tyranny polices not just actions but presence itself, making every social refusal a potential act of rebellion.
Essay Tip
Use this to argue that under Macbeth's rule, ordinary social gestures (attending a dinner, choosing one's words) become loaded with political risk—this quote demonstrates how tyranny transforms every aspect of life into a test of loyalty, making even silence or absence a punishable offense.