Macbeth Group

Question:

michelle-telford
michelle-tel...
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Macbeth, to what does Macbeth compare himself as Malcolm's army approaches, and how does it relate to Macduff's name for Macbeth?

 

 

 

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Posted by michelle-telford on Thursday April 30, 2009 at 4:29 PM.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Bear baiting was a popular sport in Shakespeare's time. A bear was tied by a length of rope to a sturdy post in a pit, unable to escape or defend himself effectively, and then attacked by vicious dogs (or sometimes lions). This is the allusion Macbeth makes as he recognizes that he soon will be overwhelmed by Malcolm's forces:

    They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly,

    But bearlike I must fight the course.

    Macbeth identifies with the bear. Like the bear, he is hampered by circumstances, but like the bear, he will fight until death. Macbeth's simile suggests strength and courage that is heroic. When Macduff finds Macbeth on the field of battle, Macduff calls him "hell-hound." There is nothing heroic, however, in Macduff's metaphor. Macduff sees Macbeth as a dog from hell, and he intends to send Macbeth back to hell at that very moment.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-v-summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/macbeth-character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by mshurn on Thursday April 30, 2009 at 7:07 PM