Macbeth Group

Question:

dudam
dudam
Student
College - Junior

In Macbeth, what does Lady Macbeth mean by saying that their service, even if doubly redoubled, would be a poor return to Duncan?

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Posted by dudam on Tuesday February 24, 2009 at 9:07 AM and tagged with act 1, double, doubly redoubled, duncan, lady macbeth, macbeth, scene 6, service.

Answers:


  1. robertwilliam

    All our service
    In every point twice done and then done double
    Were poor and single business to contend
    Against those honours deep and broad wherewith
    Your majesty loads our house...

    All Lady M is saying in this extract from Act 1, Scene 6, is, even if every act ("point") of serving Duncan that the Macbeths do were done twice, and each of those done twice, it still would be only a "single" (i.e. not a double, or quadruple) service compared with how much service Duncan is doing them. And what service is Duncan doing them? - he is bringing his "honours... deep and broad" to their house, and thereby making them honourable.

    Hope it helps!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth

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    Posted by robertwilliam on Tuesday February 24, 2009 at 9:28 AM