Macbeth Group

Question:

trlocke
trlocke
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What are they saying in the following quote from "Macbeth" and why is it significant?

They hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip,

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Posted by trlocke on Monday April 7, 2008 at 2:14 PM and tagged with act ii, act iii, macbeth, quote.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This quote from Macbeth has to do with his comments on the prophecy that he and Banquo have received form the witches.

    Although they have predicted that Macbeth will be king.  Banquo, the witches say, will never be king, but his children will sit upon the throne. The witches say that Banquo  is "lesser than Macbeth, and greater," and "not so happy, yet much happier". (I.iii.63-65)

    In other words, Macbeth may become king, but Banquo's descendants will dominate the throne.  Therefore, Macbeth sees himself as barren, or without heirs, and that his crown has no meaning.  Banquo will be "father to a line of kings". His destiny is proclaimed greater than Macbeth's short-term wearing of the crown.  He feels insulted by the prophecy of the witches.

    Sources:
    http://www.shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Monday April 7, 2008 at 2:35 PM