Macbeth Group

Question:

alex005
alex005
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Describe the show of eight kings presented to Macbeth by the witches.

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Posted by alex005 on Tuesday October 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM and tagged with eight kings, show.

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  1. kc4u Teacher
    College - Senior

    eNotes Editor

    In act 4 sc.1, three apparitions conjured up by the witches prophesy all about Macbeth's ruin, though in an ambiguous riddle-like language. Macbeth insists on knowing more, especially about the prospect of kingship as promised to Banquo's issue. The witches then present a show for Macbeth :

    " A show of eight Kings, the last with a glass in his hand; Banquo's Ghost following".

    All the eight kings look like Banquo. The crown that the first wears burns Macbeth's eye-balls. The second and the third also wear the same dazzling crown. Macbeth, disturbed at the sight, curses the witches as 'filthy hags'. As the procession of kings goes on, Macbeth is outraged to believe that Banquo's look-alikes would be marching on and on till the very end of the world. Macbeth finds that the eighth in the line holds a mirror which shows many more kings to follow. Some of these eight kings carry with them 'two-fold balls' and 'treble sceptres'; the first signifies the two crowns of England and Scotland united under James I, while the second suggests the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland. Banquo's 'blood-bolter'd' spectre smiles sarcastically at Macbeth.

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    Posted by kc4u on Tuesday October 27, 2009 at 11:52 AM


  2. brandih

    eNotes Editor

    Please see the link below for another answer.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/q-and-a/explain-show-8-king...

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    Posted by brandih on Wednesday October 28, 2009 at 10:57 AM