Macbeth Group

Question:

alex005
alex005
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What do the the twofold balls in the king's hand indicate?

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Posted by alex005 on Wednesday October 28, 2009 at 5:54 AM and tagged with hand, king, symbol, twofold balls.

Answers:


  1. kc4u Teacher
    College - Senior

    eNotes Editor

    In the show of eight kings in 'Macbeth', act4 sc.1, the witches give Macbeth a pre-view of the long line of kingship that Banquo's successors would enjoy. It is here in Macbeth's confused response to the show that he refers to some 'that two-fold balls and treble sceptres carry'. The 'two-fold balls' in the hand of the king may be a reference to the union of the crowns of England and Scotland under king James I, or it may also be the two coronations of James VI in Scotland and of him again as James I. The first explanation seems to me more meaningful and more appropriate.

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    Posted by kc4u on Wednesday October 28, 2009 at 1:34 PM

  2. lit24
    lit24 Teacher
    Doctorate

    eNotes Editor

    "And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass
    Which shows me many more; and some I see
    That two-fold balls and treble scepters carry:

    Horrible sight!"  [Act IV Sc.1]

    Since the Tudor Queen Elizabeth died childless, King James VI of Scotland a Stuart was crowned  the King of England as King James I. Two coronations were held, one in Scotland where one  scepter was used and one in England where two scepters were used: "That two-fold balls and treble scepters carry." Scholars also interpret "treble scepter" to mean that King James' coronation united the three kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland.

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    Posted by lit24 on Thursday October 29, 2009 at 7:26 AM