Macbeth Group
Question:
jenfaith
Student
High School - 11th Grade
Explain this quote: "Good sir, why do you start , and seem to fear/ Things that do sound so fair?" What kind of literary device is it?
Answers:
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sampu88 Student
High School - 12th GradePosted by sampu88 on Saturday March 1, 2008 at 11:01 PMThis was what Banquo said to Macbeth, on observing his startled reaction to the Witches' prophecies that were made on the deserted heath, after the 'hurly burly was done,' the battle was won.
The Witches' has prophecised Macbeth to become the Thane of Cowdor and the 'King hereafter', those were two promotions at the same time! These fortunate and good promotions were what Banquo said sounded 'so fair'. 'Why do you start, seem to fear' is a reference to his worried, anxiety-ridden expression, his thoughtful face, which was given rise to because Macbeth's ambitious nature had always dreamt of becoming the King of Scotland, but having the 'agents of devil' tell him that it was an actual possibility, was what shocked him beyond reality.
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leagye Teacher
High School - 9th GradePosted by leagye on Tuesday March 25, 2008 at 9:43 AMThe literary device used is alliteration (repetition of initial consanant sounds) with the repeated "s" sounds: sir, start, seem, sound, so. The next step is to consider what symbolic meaning (if any) could be conveyed, and in this case, one would think of a snake, or serpent, in that they make that sound. This fits with the context of the play, in that there is evil all around as the weird sisters give their prophecies and the seed of Macbeth's demise is planted.
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