Macbeth Themes
The main themes in Macbeth are ambition, trust and deceit, supernatural intervention, and dynastic succession.
- The corrupting effects of ambition: Macbeth’s ambition leads him to the throne, but his paranoid obsession with keeping power ultimately leads to his downfall.
- Trust and deceit: The deceitful Macbeths deviously exploit the good and trusting natures of others to rise to power.
- Supernatural intervention: The presence of supernatural forces, specifically the mysterious witches, introduce complex questions about the nature of free will and man's capacity for evil.
- Dynastic succession: The royal lines referenced in Macbeth are connected to King James I, who ruled when Shakespeare wrote the play.
The Corrupting Effects of Ambition
In his soliloquy at the beginning of act 1, scene 7, Macbeth admits to himself that he has no good reason to murder Duncan. If the king had been oppressive or incompetent, there might have been a patriotic argument for killing and replacing him to benefit Scotland, but Macbeth has no reason to think that he will be a better king than Duncan; indeed, he quickly proves to be much worse.
It is clear from his first entrance that Macbeth is ambitious in a way that his fellow thanes are not. Banquo, for instance, is similar to Macbeth in situation, yet his straightforward honesty in the way he treats those around him—from the witches to King Duncan to his son—renders him a foil for Macbeth’s more duplicitous and corruptible nature. Similarly, Macduff, essentially the hero of the play, has no thoughts of claiming the crown of Scotland for himself after killing Macbeth. Instead, he leaves the throne to Malcolm, who, unlike Macbeth, assumes power out of a sense of duty rather than out of personal ambition. Macbeth’s hunger for glory is personal from the very beginning, and once he overcomes his reservations about killing Duncan, he degenerates into abject tyranny very quickly. He no longer even needs Lady Macbeth to goad him on, and there is no evidence that she is complicit in his later crimes.
Macbeth’s ambition is never satisfied. As soon as he is crowned king of Scotland, he becomes aggrieved that he will not be the founder of a great dynasty, like Banquo. This is something that he clearly knew all along, but once he has achieved his crown, he immediately starts wanting more, even if what he wants is impossible. It quickly becomes clear that Macbeth will never be the type of ruler who, however violently he acts to achieve his ambition, is happy once it is attained. Macbeth is never satisfied, and getting what he wants only ever corrupts him further.
Trust and Deceit
The dialogue between Malcolm and Macduff in act 4, scene 3 is rather long and is often cut in performance. Read in full, however, the conversation is a masterly study in the initial manoeuvers between two men, each of whom has every reason not to trust the other. Malcolm tells a plethora of outrageous lies to see how Macduff will react and only begins to trust his fellow countryman after observing Macduff’s genuine horror and despair at the appalling picture the prince paints of his own character.
Malcolm has had to learn deceit quickly. When their father Duncan is murdered, Malcolm and Donalbain both realize that one of the thanes around them is likely guilty of the murder, and that they are both in grave danger. They will either be accused of the crime (which is what, in fact, happens) or they will be killed next. There is no one around them whom they can trust, and their only option is to flee. Lady Macduff, abandoned by her husband, is in a similar predicament, except that she has nowhere to go.
The straightforward, trusting nature of such characters as Duncan, Lady Macduff, and Banquo marks them out as victims in a play filled with duplicity. Lady Macbeth is continually urging her husband to be more deceitful, a lesson he seems to have learned quite thoroughly by the end of the play. Even in the midst of his own deceit and treachery, however, Macbeth continues to believe in the witches—despite all obvious clues that they are malicious figures—because he wants to believe what they have told him. It is only immediately before his death that he realizes how they have deceived him. The irony here is that the witches are one of the few characters in the play that are exactly what they seem: hideous and evil. The noble Banquo recognizes this and immediately treats them with contempt. It is only because Macbeth is already somewhat corrupt, even upon his first appearance in the play, that he is willing to place his trust in such obviously malign figures.
Supernatural Intervention in Human Affairs
The references to Christianity in Macbeth are few and superficial. Almost as an afterthought, Macbeth mentions that by killing the king he has forfeited his soul “to the common enemy of man.” Other supernatural influences abound, however, and their origin is always mysterious. Whereas Old King Hamlet’s ghost from Shakespeare’s Hamlet is very precise about how and why he has returned to earth, Banquo’s ghost does not even speak. The source of the spirits that Lady Macbeth summons to unsex her and fill her with cruelty is similarly vague. Even the witches seem to come out of nowhere, and the revelation in act 3 scene 5 that they are in the service of Hecate, Greek goddess of sorcery and necromancy, does not do much to explain their mysterious motives or origin.
Macbeth is a play in which God appears to be largely absent. It’s not clear that the spiritual “assistance” of the witches comes from Satan, but the supernatural in Macbeth is always untrustworthy—its origins suspicious and murky and its objectives equally obscure. Macduff and Malcolm eventually triumph by purely physical, explicable means, and the supernatural allies who assisted Macbeth and then deserted him seem to have had no motive beyond that of causing trouble and sowing chaos. Of interest to many readers of Macbeth is the question of free will, and to what extent Macbeth’s crimes are the result of his own ambition versus the witches’ manipulations. In this regard, the play is open to multiple interpretations. Macbeth can be characterized as a victim of supernatural intervention if it is assumed that seizing the throne would not have occurred to him without the witches’ prophecy. It can also be argued, however, that the witches’ prophecies aren’t evil in and of themselves. The witches merely state what will come to pass; they offer no insight or instruction on how this future might be achieved. Thus, Macbeth can also be held responsible for interpreting and acting on the prophecy in the way that he does.
Dynastic Succession
In act 1, scene 4, Duncan makes the succession clear when he names Malcolm as Prince of Cumberland. Primogeniture, the system by which the eldest son of the king becomes the next king, is not automatic in this society, and if Malcolm had been unsuited to rule, Duncan could have chosen another successor, such as Macbeth.
Macbeth has no children and neither has Malcolm. The witches make it clear more than once that the eventual heir to the throne will come from Banquo’s line, likely starting with his son, Fleance. As soon as he has achieved his ambition to be king, Macbeth becomes incensed that he has committed treason and regicide in order to “make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!” Although he knew perfectly well that this was what he doing when he did it, Macbeth’s periodic rage that his reign will be “fruitless” and “barren” shows the importance of the dynastic line. James VI of Scotland, who had recently become James I of England when Macbeth was written, believed that he could trace his ancestry back to Fleance and Banquo, making this particular line of succession highly consequential for the play’s original audience, who would have seen it as further confirmation of their king’s right to the throne.
Ambition
In Macbeth, ambition is a central theme that drives the play's action and leads to the downfall of its main characters. Macbeth's ambition is ignited by the witches' prophecy that he will become king, and it is further fueled by Lady Macbeth's encouragement. This unchecked ambition ultimately leads to a series of tragic events, including murder, madness, and death. Shakespeare explores the destructive nature of ambition and its ability to corrupt individuals and disrupt the natural order.
Macbeth's ambition is evident from the moment he hears the witches' prophecy. Initially, he is hesitant to act on his desires, but Lady Macbeth's manipulation convinces him to murder King Duncan. Her advice to "
Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it." highlights the deceit and treachery that ambition can breed. Once Macbeth commits regicide, he is set on a path of moral decay, becoming increasingly ruthless and paranoid to maintain his power.
The consequences of Macbeth's ambition are far-reaching. His initial internal conflict over killing Duncan quickly dissipates, and he becomes desensitized to violence and treachery. Macbeth's ambition blinds him to the moral implications of his actions, leading him to murder Banquo and Macduff's family. His ambition transforms him from a noble warrior into a tyrant, illustrating how unchecked ambition can lead to one's downfall.
Lady Macbeth's ambition is equally destructive. She is initially the more ambitious of the two, urging Macbeth to seize the throne. However, her ambition leads to overwhelming guilt and madness. Her descent into madness and eventual suicide underscore the psychological toll of unchecked ambition. Her earlier resolve crumbles under the weight of their crimes, demonstrating how ambition can consume and destroy.
Ultimately, the theme of ambition in Macbeth serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked desires. The play suggests that ambition, when not tempered by moral considerations, leads to chaos and destruction. Macbeth's tragic end, marked by his famous soliloquy "
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow," reveals the futility and emptiness of his ambitions. Shakespeare's portrayal of ambition in Macbeth warns of its potential to corrupt and destroy lives.
Guilt
Guilt is a central theme in Shakespeare's Macbeth, manifesting as a driving force that shapes the characters' actions and mental states. The play explores how guilt affects both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, leading to their ultimate downfall. Through vivid imagery and dramatic encounters, Shakespeare illustrates the pervasive and destructive nature of guilt.
In Act 3, Scene 4, Macbeth's guilt is vividly portrayed during the banquet scene when he sees Banquo's ghost. This apparition is a manifestation of Macbeth's guilt over ordering Banquo's murder. The ghost's presence causes Macbeth to act irrationally, shouting at an empty chair and revealing his inner turmoil to the guests. Macbeth's denial of responsibility is evident when he says, "Thou canst not say I did it: never shake / Thy gory locks at me." This encounter highlights how guilt haunts Macbeth, driving him to madness and paranoia.
Shakespeare uses blood imagery to symbolize guilt throughout the play. After killing King Duncan, Macbeth laments that not even "all great Neptune’s ocean" can wash the blood from his hands, indicating the indelible nature of his guilt. Lady Macbeth also succumbs to guilt, famously trying to wash imaginary bloodstains from her hands, crying, "Out, damned spot! Out, I say!" This imagery underscores the psychological torment both characters endure as a result of their actions.
The theme of guilt is further emphasized through Macbeth's reflection on his murderous deeds. He acknowledges that "blood will have blood," suggesting that his crimes will inevitably lead to retribution. This realization contributes to his growing paranoia and fear, as he becomes increasingly aware of the consequences of his ambition and treachery.
Personification and figurative language intensify the theme of guilt. Macbeth personifies sleep as something he has "murdered," indicating his loss of peace and innocence. The play's rich imagery and symbolism serve to highlight the characters' internal struggles and the inescapable nature of their guilt. Ultimately, guilt drives the narrative of Macbeth, leading to the unraveling of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as they are consumed by the consequences of their actions.
Fate
The theme of fate in Macbeth explores the tension between destiny and free will. Shakespeare presents fate as a powerful force that influences the characters' actions, yet he also emphasizes the role of personal choice. The witches' prophecies spark Macbeth's ambition, suggesting a predetermined path. However, Macbeth's decisions reveal his exercise of free will, leading to his tragic downfall. The play examines how belief in fate can drive individuals to justify their actions, ultimately questioning whether destiny or choice shapes one's life.
Macbeth's encounter with the witches introduces the idea of fate. Their prophecies predict his rise to power, leading him to believe that destiny will crown him king. Yet, Macbeth's subsequent actions contradict this belief. He chooses to murder Duncan, driven by ambition and the desire to control his fate. This decision marks the beginning of his moral corruption, as he attempts to force the prophecy's fulfillment. Shakespeare illustrates that while fate presents opportunities, it is Macbeth's choices that propel him toward ruin.
Lady Macbeth also grapples with the concept of fate. Upon learning of the witches' predictions, she believes that fate and supernatural forces have destined Macbeth for kingship. However, she recognizes the need for action to achieve this destiny. Her determination to "pour my spirits in thine ear" and manipulate Macbeth underscores the interplay between fate and free will. Lady Macbeth's influence highlights how human intervention can alter the course of fate, suggesting that destiny is not fixed but shaped by personal choices.
The witches' role further complicates the theme of fate. Their line, "By the pricking of my thumbs / Something wicked this way comes," suggests an awareness of Macbeth's inherent wickedness. This raises questions about whether Macbeth's downfall is fated or a result of his own nature. The witches' prophecies set events in motion, but it is Macbeth's free will that leads him to embrace his darker impulses. Shakespeare uses the witches to explore the ambiguity of fate, leaving the audience to ponder whether Macbeth's tragic end was inevitable or self-inflicted.
Ultimately, Macbeth presents fate as a complex force intertwined with free will. While the prophecies suggest a predetermined path, it is Macbeth's choices that drive the play's tragic events. Shakespeare challenges the notion of fate as an all-powerful force, instead highlighting the consequences of human actions. The theme of fate in Macbeth serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the moral implications of attempting to control one's destiny.
Appearance vs. Reality
In Macbeth, the theme of appearance versus reality is central to the play's narrative. Characters and events often present a deceptive facade, masking darker truths. This theme is introduced by the witches' paradoxical phrase, "fair is foul, and foul is fair," suggesting that what seems good is actually bad, and vice versa. Throughout the play, Macbeth and other characters grapple with the difference between how things appear and their true nature, leading to tragic consequences.
Macbeth, initially respected and seen as honorable, hides his ambition and treachery behind a facade of loyalty. He plans King Duncan's murder while appearing to be his loyal subject. Macbeth himself acknowledges this duplicity, stating, "False face must hide what the false heart doth know." This line underscores the theme, as Macbeth's outward appearance contrasts sharply with his inner intentions.
The witches' prophecies are another example of appearance versus reality. They predict Macbeth's rise to power, which seems promising, but ultimately leads to his downfall. The prophecies give Macbeth a false sense of security, as he misinterprets their true nature. The witches' words, "And be these juggling fiends no more believed, That palter with us in a double sense," reveal their deceptive nature, as they present half-truths that mislead Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth also embodies this theme. She appears to be a gracious hostess to Duncan, yet she harbors murderous intentions. Her outward demeanor hides her true ambition and ruthlessness. Similarly, King Duncan's arrival at Macbeth's castle is marked by dramatic irony. He comments on the pleasantness of the castle, unaware of the deadly plot against him, "This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses." This highlights the gap between appearance and reality, as Duncan is deceived by the outward appearance of hospitality.
The theme of appearance versus reality culminates in Macbeth's downfall. The witches' final predictions, which seem to assure Macbeth's invincibility, are revealed to be misleading. Macbeth learns too late that "none of woman born" does not include Macduff, who was "from his mother's womb untimely ripped." The illusion of safety is shattered, and Macbeth's reliance on appearances leads to his demise.
Prophecy
In Macbeth, prophecy is a central theme that drives the plot and influences the characters' actions. The prophecies given by the Three Witches set Macbeth on a path of ambition and destruction. These supernatural predictions create a sense of inevitability and fate, yet they also reveal the characters' free will and moral choices. The prophecies are both a catalyst for Macbeth's rise to power and a harbinger of his downfall, illustrating the complex interplay between destiny and personal agency.
The first set of prophecies is given to Macbeth and Banquo in Act 1. The witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually king. They also tell Banquo that he will be "lesser than Macbeth, and greater," and that his descendants will be kings. These predictions ignite Macbeth's ambition and lead him to murder King Duncan to fulfill his destiny. The prophecy's fulfillment seems inevitable, yet it is Macbeth's own actions that bring it to fruition. The witches' words are ambiguous and open to interpretation, reflecting the theme of equivocation and the deceptive nature of appearances.
In Act 4, Macbeth seeks out the witches again, receiving a second set of prophecies. These include warnings to beware Macduff, assurances that no man born of a woman will harm him, and that he will remain unchallenged until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. These cryptic messages give Macbeth a false sense of security. He misinterprets them, believing himself invincible, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The prophecies are self-fulfilling, as Macbeth's actions to secure his power only hasten his demise.
Banquo's soliloquy in Act 3 reveals his suspicion of Macbeth and his belief in the witches' prophecies. He acknowledges that Macbeth's prophecy has come true and contemplates the possibility of his own descendants becoming kings. Banquo's awareness of the prophecies adds tension to the play, as it highlights the threat his lineage poses to Macbeth. Although Banquo is murdered, his son Fleance escapes, leaving the prophecy's ultimate fulfillment open-ended. Historically, Fleance is considered an ancestor of King James I, suggesting a nod to the Stuart dynasty's legitimacy.
The theme of prophecy in Macbeth underscores the tension between fate and free will. The witches' predictions set the stage for the characters' actions, but it is their choices that determine the outcome. Prophecy serves as a motif that intertwines with themes of ambition, power, and moral corruption, ultimately leading to tragedy. The play explores the consequences of trying to control destiny and the dangers of interpreting prophecy to justify one's actions.
Good vs. Evil
In Macbeth, the theme of good versus evil is central, depicted through the internal and external struggles of characters. Macbeth, initially portrayed as valiant and honorable, becomes consumed by ambition and the influence of the witches and Lady Macbeth, leading to his moral downfall. Despite the dominance of evil throughout the play, symbolized by the witches and Macbeth's tyrannical reign, good ultimately prevails with Malcolm's rightful ascension to the throne. Shakespeare suggests that while evil is potent, it does not triumph over good.
Evil in Macbeth is best illustrated by the actions of the three witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and the assassins hired by Macbeth. In contrast, good is depicted by King Duncan, Malcolm, Banquo, Macduff, Lady Macduff, and King Edward of England. Ironically, Macbeth, who becomes the epitome of evil, is initially depicted as good and honorable. An injured sergeant's report of him at the beginning of the play speaks of a courageous general:
For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name--
Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution,
Like valour's minion carved out his passage...
Macbeth's ambition, spurred by the witches' predictions and Lady Macbeth's urging, turns him into a bloodthirsty tyrant. He and his wife plot the king's assassination and murder him in his sleep. This act sets him off on a journey of vile evil. Once crowned, he becomes paranoid and destroys anyone he deems a threat, including his best friend, Banquo, and Macduff's entire family.
Lady Macbeth initially appears more evil, urging her husband to carry through their plot. Her perfidy is illustrated in Act 1, scene 3:
I have given suck, and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,
And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you
Have done to this.
Ultimately, she is destroyed by remorse, tortured by visions of their crime, and commits suicide. Macbeth, believing himself invincible due to the witches' predictions, meets his doom at the hands of Macduff, who was "from his mother's womb untimely ripped."
The witches take pleasure in Macbeth's ruin, using paradox and equivocation to confuse him. Their predictions empower him to commit further evils. The forces of good, led by Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff, eventually defeat Macbeth. His decapitated head is displayed, and Malcolm becomes the new king of Scotland, marking the triumph of good over evil.
Supernatural
The theme of the supernatural is a central element in Macbeth, influencing the characters and the plot. The supernatural elements in the play include the three witches, Banquo's ghost, and the apparitions. These elements create a sense of foreboding and highlight the unnatural events that occur as a result of Macbeth's ambition and treachery.
The witches are the most prominent supernatural figures in the play. They set the plot in motion by prophesying that Macbeth will become king. Their presence establishes a dark and ominous tone from the very beginning. The witches' prophecies tempt Macbeth, leading him to murder King Duncan and seize the throne. The supernatural influence of the witches suggests that Macbeth's actions are preordained, yet his ambition drives him to fulfill these prophecies.
The supernatural theme is further emphasized by the unnatural events that follow Duncan's murder. In Act 2, Scene 4, the Old Man and Ross discuss the strange occurrences in nature, such as a falcon being killed by an owl and Duncan's horses eating each other. These events symbolize the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth's regicide. The Old Man's remarks highlight the chaos and moral decay that ensue, reinforcing the supernatural atmosphere of the play.
Banquo's ghost is another supernatural element that haunts Macbeth. During a banquet, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, whom he had murdered to secure his throne. This apparition reflects Macbeth's guilt and fear, as well as the consequences of his ambition. The ghost's presence serves as a reminder of the moral corruption that has taken hold of Macbeth's soul.
The supernatural elements in Macbeth not only drive the plot but also underscore the themes of ambition, fate, and the disruption of the natural order. The witches, the unnatural events, and Banquo's ghost all contribute to the play's dark and foreboding atmosphere, highlighting the tragic consequences of Macbeth's actions.
Expert Q&A
What does this quote from Macbeth mean: "Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature?"
4 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
The quote from Macbeth reflects his internal conflict after hearing the witches' prophecies. His heart pounding and hair standing on end symbolize his fear and anxiety at the thought of committing murder to fulfill the prophecy of becoming king. Despite the horror this idea induces, it's evident his ambition is considering this dreadful act, indicating the start of his destructive path.
As always, to identify the meaning of any given individual quote it is vital to look at that quote in context and try to use those contextual clues to help us understand it. This quote is actually from Act I scene 3 and is said by Macbeth as part of an aside in response to hearing the prophecy of the witches and then having the first element of that prophecy completed through his gaining of the title of Thane of Cawdor. In this aside, Macbeth explores his curious range of emotions at having had the first stage of the prophecy confirmed, and debates whether the prophecies he has received are good or bad. Note what he asks:
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair,
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature?
Macbeth is asking if the prophecies are good, why is it that he finds himself contemplating killing King Duncan, something that terrifies him incredibly because it is such an unnatural thing to want to do? This quote therefore points towards the way in which Macbeth is already contemplating committing regicide to gain the crown for himself.
What does "whose horrid image doth unfix my hair" mean in Macbeth?
In act one, scene three, Macbeth receives a seemingly favorable prophecy from the Three Witches, who tell him that he will be named the Thane of Cawdor and become the future King of Scotland. Shortly after receiving the prophecy, Ross and Angus arrive to inform Macbeth that King Duncan has just given him the title Thane of Cawdor. Both Macbeth and Banquo are astonished by the news, and Macbeth immediately begins thinking about ways to attain the Scottish throne.
In an aside, Macbeth contemplates the positives and negatives associated with the witches' prophecy. Macbeth then begins to imagine assassinating King Duncan in order to become king, which is a horrifying, unsettling thought. Macbeth describes his feelings regarding the nature of the prophecy by saying,
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature? (Shakespeare, 1.3.137-140)
Macbeth is essentially saying that the thought of committing regicide makes his hair stand on end and heart pound against his ribs in an unnatural way. These comments reveal Macbeth's ambitious nature and conscience. Judging from Macbeth's aside, the "horrid image" of murdering King Duncan is evidently disturbing and unsettling to him at this point in the play.
What does Macbeth's quote mean in today's society?
The longer passage reads:
If good, why do I yield to that suggestionWhose horrid image doth unfix my hairAnd make my seated heart knock at my ribs,Against the use of nature?
What does Macbeth's quote mean in today's society?
In Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth, Macbeth says,
"Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature?"
This statement is made in an aside after Angus reports to Macbeth that King Duncan has named him the Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his valiant service on the battlefield. Macbeth reflects on the prophecy that he and Banquo have received from the witches. He is uncertain about the nature of the prophecy--he questions whether the prophecy is of an evil nature when good has come of it. Then he considers the other perspective and wonders why, if the nature of the prophecy is good, he feels so unsettled by it. Macbeth says that his "seated heart" or his normally calm character "knock[s] at [his] ribs" because he is so torn and unsettled by the altering of fate. In this aside, Macbeth confronts his ethical dilemma and questions the nature of the prophecy and his role in the events to come.
What is the significance of the quote "Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark," in Macbeth?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
In the quote "Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark," from Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is mustering the courage to commit regicide, an act she acknowledges as morally reprehensible. She calls for darkness to conceal her deed, fearing she may hesitate if she sees what she's doing. This quote underscores the themes of deception, guilt, ambition, and the association of masculinity with violence in the play.
Lady Macbeth is having to do what Macbeth could not (initially): kill Duncan. As a woman, to have violent outbursts like she is mustering the courage to do so, is unnatural. Before this quote, she is asking the spirits to make her strong like a man so she can do the unthinkable.
Under my battlements. Come, you spiritsThat tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,And fill me from the crown to the toe top-fullOf direst cruelty. Make thick my blood.Stop up the access and passage to remorse, (30-35)
Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark To cry “Hold, hold!”
In the phantasmagoric drama of witchcraft, murder, and madness that is Macbeth, there is a continual shifting succession of things that are imagined or seen. These lines from Act I, Scene 5, reflect the deception that Lady Macbeth wishes to surround the murderous act which she contemplates under the heavy darkness of night so that no one will see and cry out.
It is ironic, indeed, that Lady Macbeth request that night enshroud her. For, later she comes to be truly enshrouded in her guilt, which drives her to madness. Moreover, in this soliloquy Lady Macbeth becomes a doppelganger, or double, for Macbeth who himself commits the murder of King Duncan. Here, too, the theme of ambition is furthered and a connection is made between masculinity and violence since Lady Macbeth calls upon the spirits to unsex her so that she ignore any human feelings of pity.
What does Macbeth mean by "Stars hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires. / The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be / What the eye fears, when it is done, to see" in Macbeth?
"Stars hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires. / The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be / What the eye fears, when it is done, to see."
7 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
When Macbeth speaks these lines, he means that he wants the stars to go dark so that no one will be able to observe him and see his disloyal desire to be king. He knows that he will have to do terrible things to become king, now that someone else has been named the heir, and he does not want to witness the bad things his hands will have to do, like kill Duncan.
Stars hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires: The eye wink at the hand: yet let that be. Which the eye fears, when it is done to see.
In Macbeth Act I, Scene four, Macbeth speaks of his "black and deep desires." Only earlier had Macbeth wondered about the witches' prediction that he gain control of the cawdor; he now wonders if their prediction concerning the kingship might also prove true. Macbeth instructs the "stars [to] hide your fires," because he wants his secret yearning for the throne to remain covered in darkness, especially the fact that he would be willing to do anything, including murdering Duncan, the rightful king, to achieve his ambition.
In addition to the stars hiding their light to cover Macbeth's desires in darkness, Macbeth would also have his "eye wink at the hand," meaning that his eyes would be blind to the actions of his hands. Macbeth himself does not want to see what he must do to achieve the throne, but at the same time, he urges "let that be what the eye fears, when it is done, to see." This statement suggests that even though he does not wish to see what must happen, he desires the end result, the throne, all the same.
Ultimately, these four lines of Macbeth's reveals two important considerations of his character:
1) Ambition--He wants the throne very badly, but does not want anyone to know how far he would be willing to go in order to achieve it.
2) Cowardice--He does not want to have to face the reality of the consequences of his action. He fears what he must do, like murdering Duncan, but still wants his death and the throne all the same.
What does Macbeth mean by "stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires"?
In Act 1, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the Witches meet with Macbeth and Banquo and prophesy:
THIRD WITCH: All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter! [1.3.53]
Macbeth is intrigued by the possibility of becoming King, but he doesn't know how the prophecy can possibly be accomplished with the way things are right now.
At the end of the scene, the Witches disappear, and Macbeth and Duncan continue on their way to King Duncan's castle at Forres. No doubt Macbeth is mulling over the possibility of becoming King all the way to the castle.
In Act 1, Scene 4, Macbeth and Banquo arrive at Forres, where King Duncan has assembled a number of military leaders, as well as his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain.
After Duncan praises Macbeth for his military service to him and to the country, Macbeth responds:
MACBETH: The service and the loyalty I owe,
In doing it, pays itself. Your highness’ part
Is to receive our duties, and our duties
Are to your throne and state, children and servants,
Which do but what they should, by doing every thing
Safe toward your love and honor. [1.4.25-30]
This oath of loyalty to the country, Duncan, Duncan's children, and even Duncan's servants is somewhat ironic. The Witches planted a seed in Macbeth's mind about becoming King, and Macbeth has been thinking about how to make that happen. Macbeth could have mental reservations about his far-ranging oath of allegiance, which might well turn out to be a false oath.
Duncan tells the assembly that he's decided that Malcolm should succeed him on the throne.
DUNCAN: Sons, kinsmen, thanes,
And you whose places are the nearest, know
We will establish our estate upon
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter
The Prince of Cumberland; which honor must
Not unaccompanied invest him only,
But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine
On all deservers. From hence to Inverness,
And bind us further to you. [1.4.41-48]
Inverness is where Macbeth's castle is located, and once Duncan goes to visit Macbeth there, he won't leave alive. Duncan has no idea how truly bound to Macbeth's fate he's going to be.
Duncan's naming of Malcolm to be his successor shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Malcolm is Duncan's eldest son and the rightful heir to the throne. For Macbeth, however, Malcolm poses a significant obstacle to fulfilling the Witches's prophecy and becoming King.
Macbeth steps aside and tells us what he's thinking:
MACBETH: [Aside.] The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. [1.4.54-56]
By now, Macbeth has decided that he's going to be King. He just doesn't quite yet know how he's going to do it. (Lady Macbeth will help him figure out that part in the next few scenes.) Malcolm is a step along the way "On which I must fall down"—meaning Macbeth with fail, or, more literally, kneel down to Malcolm as King—"or else o'erleap"—meaning that Macbeth must find some way to prevent Malcolm from becoming King.
MACBETH: Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires. [1.4.56-57]
There are two ways to look at these lines.
Macbeth still might have doubts about taking the throne by force. In Scene 3, he thought about that very issue after the Witch prophesied that he was going to be King.
MACBETH: [Aside.] If chance will have me king, why, chance
may crown me
Without my stir. [1.3.155-157]
In other words, maybe he should just do nothing and let fate take its course. In which case, he's asking the stars to hide his dark ambitions from him so they won't influence his actions.
Or, more likely—since Macbeth is already thinking about how to get rid of Malcolm and clear his way to the throne—he's telling the stars to cover their eyes so they don't see what he's about to do.
One way or another, though, it's going to be a rough night ahead for Duncan.
What does Macbeth mean by "stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires"?
This line is from Scene Four in the first act of Macbeth, and essentially Macbeth is saying (to himself, the line is an aside) that he does not want the world to know of the terrible things that he is beginning to plot. He has just learned that Malcolm, Duncan's son, has been named Prince of Cumberland, thus making him heir to the throne upon Duncan's death. Immediately before uttering the line in question he says to himself:
The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap...
It is becoming obvious that Macbeth, having been informed by the witches that he is to be Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, is not willing to wait to let that happen. But he does not want anyone to know of his ambition, and wishes to be seen as the loyal vassal of Duncan. This, of course, is for practical reasons, as he obviously wouldn't want to reveal his plot, but he is also clearly torn between his sense of right and wrong and his considerable ambition. For these reasons, he does not want his thoughts to see the light of day.
What does Macbeth mean by "stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires"?
Macbeth is thinking about how he wants to be king. He knows that he will have to kill Duncan in order to do that. "Stars, hide your fires" refers to Macbeth wanting to hide his desires and intentions from both others and himself. He wants the blanket of darkness to hide the fire of malice inside of him. Macbeth knows that murder is wrong but he wants to feel that he is good a person. The night that’s illuminated here is not only the physical darkness of the sky but also the internal darkness of not facing up to one’s own immoral longings.
What do Macbeth's words reveal about his ambition and secret thoughts?
Macbeth speaks these lines immediately after Duncan announces that he is appointing his elder son Malcolm Prince of Cumberland, which makes him heir apparent to the throne. Macbeth's full aside is as follows:
[Aside.] The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires:
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. I.4
This announcement places one more obstacle between Macbeth and the throne. This ambiguous little aside by Macbeth may be taken to mean that he contemplates murdering perhaps not only Duncan but also his heirs.
It's not clear, however, that Macbeth actually has the stomach for all that killing. Later in the play, his unexpected emotional reaction to the killing of just King Duncan results in hallucinations. He thinks he hears a voice calling out, "Sleep no more!" and threatening to wake the whole household. He retreats to his own chamber and tells his wife:
I'll go no more.
I am afraid to think what I have done.
Look on't again I dare not. II.2
What happens after Duncan's body is discovered is fortuitous. Malcolm and Donalbain think they are next on the hit-list and flee for their lives. This enables Macbeth to pin the assassination on them and to get himself elected as king by the thanes.
The passage that begins "Stars, hide your fires..." hints at Macbeth's willingness to murder—but also suggests that Macbeth is afraid of what he finds in his own mind, foreshadowing the conflict to come.
What is the significance of the imagery in "Stars, hide your fires" from Macbeth?
Macbeth has wanted to be king of Scotland even before meeting the Three Witches and has been discussing the matter with his wife. In order to become king he knows he must assassinate Duncan. But that would not automatically make him king, since there are two sons in line of succession ahead of him. Shakespeare did not want to deal with the problem of how Macbeth could solve that problem, but it should be obvious that he would have to kill the two sons sooner or later. There was no better time to do so than on the same night he killed their father, but this would be an exceedingly complicated business. Shakespeare just wanted to avoid dealing with it for numerous reasons:
- It would have weakened the dramatic impact of the murder of Duncan if Shakespeare had tried to show Macbeth going from room to room and killing Duncan, Malcolm, and Donalbain. Less is more. One murder is more effective than three. Three would be very difficult to show onstage. Besides, as it turned out, it was better for Malcolm and Donalbain to flee and be accused of having bribed the grooms to kill their father.
- Shakespeare did not want to lose all audience sympathy for Macbeth, his tragic hero. It looks bad enough for Macbeth to be killing the King, but it would look terrible for him to kill two young boys in their sleep.
- It would have been very difficult for Macbeth to kill Malcolm and Donalbain. It turns out that he didn't even know which chamber Donalbain was sleeping in. Either one of them might wake up and start struggling and shouting for help. He could be caught red-handed.
- Macbeth didn't seem to have nerve enough to commit three cold-blooded murders. He was so shaken by what he did to Duncan that he couldn't bear to think about what he had done and was afraid to go back and replace the grooms' daggers. His wife had to do that for him. This looks both good and bad for Macbeth, since it makes him look weak but also makes him look more human.
- In a pregnant scene between Macbeth and Banquo just before Macbeth goes off to murder Duncan, Macbeth seems to be sounding Banquo out about helping him kill the king and his two sons. "If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, / It shall make honor for you." Banquo knows what he wants and turns him down flatly. "So I lose none / In seeking to augment it, but still keep / My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, / I shall be counseled." If Banquo had agreed to become a co-conspirator, the two sons might not have survived that night.
- Shakespeare himself did not know what Macbeth was going to do about the two sons. Shakespeare had enough to worry about with writing the dazzling scenes just before and after Duncan's murder. He decided to worry about the two boys when he came to them. Shakespeare relied on his great genius and dependable poetic inspiration. He has a character say in another play: "There is no virtue like necessity." Shakespeare knew he could paint himself into a corner and then paint a door or window to escape through. So he leaves a very ambiguous hint for his audience that Macbeth has plans to take care of Malcolm and Donalbain--somehow in the future, maybe that very night.
Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires
The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be,
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
Macbeth might have planned to kill Malcolm and Donalbain right after killing their father. But three things prevented him from doing so--if that was what he had planned. He thought he heard a voice crying "Sleep no more! Macbeth doth murder sleep," etc. He says the voice was loud enough to wake up all the house. Furthermore, he has lost his nerve after the bloody murder of Duncan. And then there is that dreadful, ominous knocking at the gate which goes on and on and finally forces him to give up the plan of pretending to be asleep and go down to find out why nobody is opening the gate. This will end up forcing him to be present at the scene of the crime when Macduff discovers the King's body and wakes up the entire castle with the alarm bell.
The audience will not know for some time whether Malcolm and Donalbain are alive or dead. When they finally appear in answer to Macduff's summons the audience will realize that they are still alive. It is noteworthy that Shakespeare has them arrive on the scene last of all. The playwright is probably keeping the audience in suspense. When Macbeth returns to his bedchamber holding two bloody daggers, the intention probably was to make the audience think, at least for a few moments, that he has committed two more murders. Otherwise, why bring those daggers? Maybe Shakespeare wanted to suggest that Macbeth had taken the daggers from Duncan's chamber with the intention of killing the two sons but was forced to give up the idea because of that imaginary voice crying "Sleep no more to all the house."
What is the significance of the imagery in "Stars, hide your fires" from Macbeth?
Macbeth is disheartened on hearing King Duncan appoint his eldest, Malcolm, 'Prince of Cumberland'. This means that Malcolm is heir to Duncan's throne. Macbeth had been informed by the weird sisters (the witches) that he would become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. The first prophecy had become true, which meant, in Macbeth's mind, that the second should, obviously, also be realised. However, since Malcolm has been appointed rightful heir, Macbeth has to overturn the natural order in order to achieve his ambition. He has been overwhelmed by the witches' prophecy and therefore believes that it should come true.
He therefore calls upon the heavens to (figuratively) envelop the world in darkness.That it should be so black that none can witness his 'black and deep desires'. The obvious implication is that Macbeth at this point has decided that the only manner in which he will achieve his ambition would be through criminal means. He therefore has to plot an evil plan to get the throne and,thus, no one should be aware of what he is plotting/thinking.
It is significant that Macbeth should call upon the stars 'to hide their fires' since light is associated with goodness whilst the 'dark' is associated with evil and destruction - exactly what Macbeth intends doing.
What is the meaning of the quote "We have scorched the snake, not killed it" in Macbeth?
We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it.
She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth. (Act 3, Scene 2)
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that, by killing Duncan, they have not put the matter of the throne to rest. By scorching the snake but not killing it, Macbeth means that they still have threats to face, even with Duncan out of the picture. He also references that they have put Duncan to rest in peace, while they must still suffer through challenges so long as they are alive. Macbeth's mounting guilt has made him increasingly paranoid, and he worries that his place on the throne, as well as his life, is not secure.
Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he is worried that there is still a threat to his kingship, so he needs to take further action.
This conversation takes place after Macbeth has killed Duncan. He was convinced to do so by Lady Macbeth. Once king, Macbeth is not satisfied. He decides that Banquo is a threat, because he knows about the witches’ prophesies that his sons will be king after Macbeth.
Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd. (Act 3, Scene 2, p. 42)
Macbeth is worried that Banquo will betray him, or even that he might be suspicious that Macbeth killed Duncan.
Lady Macbeth tells her husband “What's done is done” (p. 45). She is convinced that all they needed to do was kill Duncan and then everything would be fine.
Macbeth is worried though. When he tells her they have “scotch’d” the snake and not killed it, he is using the snake as a metaphor for the threat to his being king. They might have killed Duncan, but they are still not safe. The “former tooth” can come back to get them. There are people who are a threat to them, and they have to be dealt with.
Better be with the dead
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. (Act 3, Scene 2, p. 45)
Macbeth is worried. Lady Macbeth still does not know how much. She finds out during the dinner, when Macbeth acts strangely seeing Banquo’s ghost. She begins to doubt their actions, leading to her eventual downfall into madness.
Macbeth’s reaction to becoming king is indicative of his personality. He has what he wanted, but he is afraid to lose it. Lady Macbeth assumes that they are fine. They have what they want. She has underestimated her husband’s arrogance, greed, and paranoia. He is about to go on a killing spree to eliminate these so-called threats, and in the end it destroys both of them. She succumbs to guilt and loses her mind, eventually killing herself. Macbeth’s murder of Macduff’s family causes the man to get his revenge at all costs, and Macbeth loses his head—literally.
Analyze the line "will all great Neptune's ocean . . ." in Macbeth.
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
In the line "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood..." from Macbeth, Macbeth uses hyperbole to express his deep horror and regret after murdering the king. He implies that not even the vast oceans ruled by Neptune, the god of the sea, could cleanse his hands of this blood guilt. The murder is so unnatural and heinous that it could turn nature's colors from green to blood red. Macbeth, a brave warrior, views regicide as a crime of the highest order.
Macbeth, a seasoned warrior (who, in a recent battle, cut the traitor Macdonwald in half), comes back to his chambers badly shaken from murdering his monarch. Seized by a deep revulsion at his act, he says to Lady Macbeth:
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this bloodClean from my hand? No, this my hand will ratherThe multitudinous seas incarnadine,Making the green one red.
He is using hyperbole (exaggeration) in this speech to try to convey to his wife the depth of his horror at what he has done. It is one thing to kill a traitor in battle but quite another to kill your king to whom you have sworn your loyalty.
Neptune is the god and ruler of all the oceans on earth. Macbeth says that all of Neptune's vast oceans cannot wash the blood of this murder from his hands. Instead, still using hyperbole, Macbeth says that his bloody hand will turn the many green seas of the earth red ("incarnadine").
This speech expresses the depth of Macbeth's horror, but it also emphasizes Macbeth's conviction that, in murdering a king, he has gone against nature itself. What he has done is so unnatural, so heinous, it could change nature's very colors from green to blood red.
We know that Macbeth, a brave warrior, has no problem with killing an enemy on a battlefield. His speech shows, however, that he puts regicide (king slaying) in a whole different category—the worst kind of crime.
Significance of the Banquet Scene in Macbeth
4 Educator Answers
Summary:
The Banquet Scene in Macbeth is significant because it marks the turning point in Macbeth's reign and mental state. During the banquet, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost, which reveals his deepening guilt and paranoia. This public display of his unraveling sanity alarms his guests and foreshadows his eventual downfall.
What is the significance of the banquet scene in Macbeth?
Initially, Macbeth does not agonize over the moral implications of ordering the murder of Banquo and Fleance. He did agonize over Duncan’s murder. He orders Banquo’s murder out of fear. He believes that by killing Banquo, he destroys the prophecy that Banquo’s children will sit on the throne. However, at the banquet, Macbeth’s fear does turn to guilt and he sees or imagines Banquo’s ghost. This is significant because this is the first time Macbeth’s inner conflict is made public. This is when things really start to fall apart for Macbeth.
Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid about everything. This is reflected externally as well as internally. He begins to think that Macduff’s absence at the banquet might imply that Macduff is plotting his own revenge.
It is also a significant break between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. He sees the ghost and she does not. She tells his guests that he has a condition so they won't suspect anything. She simply thinks he is thinking too much.
They both have guilt and fear, but this is a breaking point. Remember that in Act III, Scene 2, Macbeth did not tell Lady Macbeth about the plan to kill Banquo and Fleance. “Such things” refers to Banquo’s ghost:
Can such things be,
And overcome us like a summer’s cloud,
Without our special wonder? You make me strange
Even to the disposition that I owe,
When now I think you can behold such sights,
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,
When mine is blanched with fear. (3. 4. 131-137)
These lines are also listed as 1409-1415 for the entire play. Macbeth wonders how she can witness such a thing as Banquo's ghost and not be affected by it. She doesn't see the ghost. She thinks he is consumed with fear, which is true.
What is an analysis of the banquet scene in Macbeth?
The banquet scene is both a high point for Macbeth as King of Scotland and the beginning of the end for him. The banquet is his first celebration as King, and he is joyous, thrilled with his new position, sitting on the throne suits him, he has managed to put aside the horrible images, the haunting images that plagued him right after Duncan's murder. At the banquet, Macbeth is determined to enjoy himself.
"Macb. Sweet remembrancer!
Now good digestion wait on appetite,
And health on both!" (Act III, Scene IV)
But, unfortunately, in the presence of those assembled, members of his court, his wife, surrounded by attendants,and Lords, Macbeth has a mental meltdown because he sees Banquo's ghost sitting on his chair, of course, no one else sees him. He becomes so unhinged by the sight of his former friend, now dead, thanks to his orders, that he can't focus on his party.
He can't sit at the table because the ghost of Banquo occupies his seat.
"Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo!
how say you?
Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.
If charnel-houses and our graves must send
Those that we bury back, our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites. [Ghost disappears." (Act III, Scene IV)
Once Macbeth sees the ghost, it disappears, but it comes back. And he addresses it again, causing all his guests to look in wonder at him. Lady Macbeth becomes concerned for her husband, he is the king, and he is making a fool of himself. So she orders everyone out, and breaks up the party claiming that Macbeth is having one of his spells.
"Lady M. Think of this, good peers,
But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other;
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time." (Act III, Scene IV)
This scene, in particular, underscores the fact that Macbeth still has a working conscience. He killed the king, inspired by the witches prophecy and with additional prodding from his wife, but he still had a sense of remorse after the act. By the time of the banquet, he has sufficiently recovered his control over his emotions to have a good time.
But his conscience is still working, so it intrudes on his party, because, Macbeth has, technically not by his own hand, murdered again. This time, his friend, who he perceived as a potential threat to his crown.
All the acts of murder that Macbeth hires killers to commit after he is crowned king are all motivated by fear or paranoia. He is desperate to protect his throne, one would assume that he thinks that he is going to live forever, the way that he tries to eliminate all potential successors to the throne of Scotland.
What is significant about the coronation banquet in Macbeth?
The coronation banquet in Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth is significant for several reasons. First of all, at the start of Act 3, Scene 4, Macbeth speaks directly with one of Banquo's murderers, confirming that Banquo is indeed dead. The death of Banquo is supposed to be reassuring to Macbeth because it means that Banquo no longer stands in his way of obtaining power, but the reassurance is brief. The knowledge that Banquo is gone lifts worry from Macbeth, but not for long, as Banquo's ghost soon appears at the banquet.
The appearance of Banquo's ghost is also significant because of how the vision of the ghost impacts Macbeth. In the moments before the ghost appears, Macbeth may experience a sense of relief, but it is short-lived. Whether the ghost is a figment of Macbeth's guilt or a supernatural being haunting Macbeth, the significance of the ghost's appearance is undeniable. Macbeth will never be free of his crimes as long as other elements out of his control (like his conscience or the free will of a ghost) continue to show themselves.
Macbeth's reaction to the ghost is visible to others, like Ross and Lennox, and Lady Macbeth has to try to repair the damage done to Macbeth's credibility when Macbeth begins to speak in riddles directly to the ghost of Banquo. These moments are significant because others are able to observe the crumbling of Macbeth's strength and character. His downfall begins just as he is crowned king, in a dramatic and ironic twist.
What is significant about the coronation banquet in Macbeth?
The coronation banquet in Act 3, Scene 4 of Macbeth seems intended to dramatize the fact that Macbeth and his wife, though they have attained the royal status they so badly wanted, will never be able to enjoy the advantages they thought it would bring. Everything is set up for an evening of regalement and everyone present seems prepared to honor the new king and queen with the greatest show of respect and affection, regardless of what they might really think of them. All of these distinguished men are on their best behavior. However, Macbeth can no longer get any satisfaction or enjoyment out of anything. He is haunted by his guilty memory of what he did to steal the crown and is further haunted by his knowledge that he had his good friend Banquo murdered. Macbeth is also troubled by the knowledge that Banquo's descendants are apparently destined to inherit the Scottish throne rather than his own offspring, should he manage to produce any. Poor Lady Macbeth has gone to a great deal of trouble to arrange a nice party for all of these important men. We have seen how the best-laid plans of hostesses are often thwarted in this life because of arguments or disturbances of one kind or another. She tells her husband:
My royal lord,
You do not give the cheer. The feast is sold
That is not often vouch'd, while ’tis a-making,
’Tis given with welcome. To feed were best at home;
From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony;
Meeting were bare without it.
The great satisfaction this husband and wife expected to experience by becoming king and queen never happens. It is nullified from the very beginning. They are two lonely, isolated people without a single friend in the world. Our great expectations are often disappointed in this life. In the end, Macbeth realizes he made a terrible mistake, as shown in Act 4, Scene 3:
I have lived long enough. My way of life
Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf,
And that which should accompany old age,
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not.
Explanation and analysis of the quote "To prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th'other" from Macbeth
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
In this quote from Macbeth, Macbeth reflects on his ambitious desires, acknowledging that his intent to commit murder is driven solely by his "vaulting ambition." He compares this unchecked ambition to a horse that jumps too high and falls, suggesting that his ambition might lead to his own downfall.
What does the quote from Macbeth, "To prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th'other—" mean?
Macbeth is admitting to himself that he has no justification for committing the murder of King Duncan. He specifies the reasons he has for not killing him and then candidly acknowledges in an extended metaphor that his only reason for committing the treasonous deed is his own "vaulting ambition." The metaphor, of course, refers to horses and horsemanship. His soliloquy is interrupted by the entrance of Lady Macbeth. He intended to say, "...and falls on th' other side." This metaphor suggests an inexperienced and rather ridiculous rider who tries to vault onto a horse and vaults so vigorously that he goes right over the saddle and falls in a heap on the ground. As far as this relates to Macbeth's ambition, he is foreseeing that it will be a serious mistake to murder Duncan because he has no excuse for doing so and because his misdeed will lead to his own ruin.
When Lady Macbeth interrupts his soliloquy, he tells her the conclusion he has come to in the following words:
We will proceed no further in this business.
He hath honored me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.
He is not telling her all his reasons but only what he hopes will appel to her pragmatic nature. Notice how he starts off so decisively and ends with what would seem to be a question deserving a question mark:
Not cast aside so soon?
Once again Lady Macbeth has to use her formidable powers of persuasion to rekindle her husband's ambition and resolution. She is the stronger of the two. He doesn't want to murder the King. We can hear the strong feeling of love and reverence in his voice when he asks his wife, "Hath he asked for me?" He not only loves Duncan, but he knows that Duncan loves him.
Whether or not his wife really loves him is problematical, but she has a strong hold over him. She is not only more ambitious and more ruthless but more intelligent. Macbeth is dependent upon her. Such marital relationships are not uncommon. When two people get married, one or the other will usually take the leadership and make all the major decisions for both. This can be observed in almost every marriage. Lady Macbeth "wears the pants in the family." Shakespeare waanted to make Macbeth look like a tragic hero by pinning much of the blame for Duncan's murder on the three witches, on "fate," and on Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare wanted to create a good man who performs a wicked deed, a hero who commits a heinous crime. But he makes Macbeth look weak, indecisive, feckless, uxorious, and like an athlete who is all brawn and no brains. Whenever Macbeth has to make decisions on his own, he makes a mess of things. One of his worst mistakes was to order the murder of Macduff's wife, children, and everyone else in his castle.
What does the quote "To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself / And falls on the other" from Macbeth mean?
At the beginning of act 1, scene 7, Macbeth considers the myriad compelling reasons he has not to kill the king—Duncan is his friend, his king, his relative, his guest. Further, it is not as though Macbeth will simply commit the murder and then become king; there are more steps that will have to be taken. Not to mention the facts that committing this act would corrupt Macbeth's immortal soul and that Duncan has been a good, virtuous leader. Moreover, if he murders the king, then Macbeth shows other people that one can, in fact, murder a king. Because "Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return / To plague th' inventor," someone may use that knowledge to murder Macbeth in the end (1.7.9-1). After Macbeth lists all his reasons not to kill Duncan, he says,
I have no spur
To prick the side of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on th' other (1.7.25-28).
In other words, Macbeth has no impetus, no reason to move forward with the murder except for his great ambition, a quality which has a tendency to make people commit rash actions that lead to their downfall. He has many reasons not to kill Duncan and only one reason to do it: ambition.
How does the quote from Macbeth (1.7.1) relate to his responsibility for his own downfall?
"I have no spur, To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other."
This is one of the most revealing and damning of all staements in the whole of the play 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare. It is a quotation which does indeed refer to the statement
"To what extent is Macbeth responsible for his own downfall?"
because for hundreds of years experts and critics have been arguing about the extent of MacBeth's culpability for the murder and for his own tailspin down into potential madness. In fact, the jury is still out, and that is why we have to look so carefully at the playwright's own language and to scrutinise and analysis the dialogue in context, so that we may form an opinion. Every reader and playgoer will have a valid response and your opinion is just as valid as anybody else's - porvided that you study the play - because we are all coming at it from different angles. You bring a different set of life experiences to the text to another person.
The lines
'I have no spur, To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other. ' (1.7.1)
suggest owning the decision, turning a back on counsel, advice and conscience and in Elizabethan times turning one's face away from God deliberately was seen as the deepest most evil offence against the Holy Spirit. The decision is like a horse, needing no spurring onwards, having a mind of it's own. The evil path is intentional, riding on personal gain and ambitious plans.
One complication however, is that those suffering psychosis, can often act in a coldly rational way and seem to all others and colleagues around them, perfectly lucid and sensible until the last minute!
How does the porter's statement about drink being an equivocator relate to Macbeth's situation?
2 Educator Answers
To equivocate is to deliberately mislead by, for example, using ambiguous language to conceal the truth. In act 2, scene 3, the porter says that drink is an equivocator because "it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance." In other words, when one has had a bit too much to drink, the alcohol can increase one's sexual desire but at the same time decrease one's ability to perform sexually. This is of course because too much alcohol inhibits one's physical coordination. Alcohol, therefore, misleads the mind into thinking that the body is capable of having sex.
This crude example of equivocation broadly reflects the equivocation that Macbeth is guilty of throughout the play. For example, Macbeth tries to mislead everyone by trying to convince them that the king's sons murdered their father when really it was him. He also misleads Banquo by pretending to be friendly with him while at the same time plotting to have him and his son, Fleance, murdered. As Macbeth becomes more and more desperate to hold on to the throne that he took at so great a cost, he also becomes more and more of a shameless equivocator. The more drunk he gets on his own power, the more he needs to equivocate to keep hold of it.
Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes;
it provokes the desire, but it takes
away the performance: therefore, much drink
may be said to be an equivocator with lechery:
it makes him, and it mars him; it sets
him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him,
and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and
not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him
in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.
In the porter's view, drink is an equivocator because it both causes one to desire a situation and at the same time it hinders one's ability to function in that same situation. The porter uses lechery (sexual function) as a classic example.
What is the significance of this quote from Macbeth in terms of theme and making connections?
"No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive / Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, / And with his former title greet Macbeth."
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
The quote "What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won," spoken by King Duncan, signifies the king's trust in Macbeth, valuing his loyalty and valor. However, the tragic irony is that Macbeth, despite having every reason to protect the king, abuses this trust to fulfill his own ambitions. This act of betrayal, driven by personal greed, sets the tragic tone for the play and eventually leads to Macbeth's downfall.
The quote represents King Duncan's words when the king realizes that the Thane of Cawdor has worked in collusion with the Norwegians in order to help them defeat Duncan. The king strips the thane of his position at once, and, as a result, Macbeth is promoted for his valiance and loyalty to the king:
What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won.
The quote demonstrates that the king has a very high opinion of Macbeth and values qualities such as valor, loyalty, and true friendship. He wants to honor those who exhibit such qualities, and we see him placing his hopes into Macbeth, believing Macbeth is one of his biggest supporters.
The tragic tone starts to permeate the play once we realize that Macbeth is ready to abuse the trust which king Duncan has put in him for the sake of fulling his own evil ambitions. Although he has every reason to protect the king, Macbeth dares to create disorder by plotting to kill him so that he can become the king himself. He murders Duncan, but that very action will ultimately result in Macbeth's own downfall.
What does "there's daggers in men's smiles" mean in Macbeth?
5 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
In Act 2, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the phrase "there's daggers in men's smiles" is used by Donalbain to suggest that their father's killer could be hiding behind a friendly facade. The phrase implies that even those who seem friendly and trustworthy can harbor harmful intentions. This realization prompts Donalbain and his brother Malcolm to flee Scotland, fearing they might be next in line for assassination.
At the end of Act II, Scene 3, Malcolm and Donalbain both decide to flee for their lives. It is Donalbain who says, "There's daggers in men's smiles. The near in blood, The nearer bloody." Both boys obviously know that whoever murdered their father must intend to murder them, as the motive for killing Duncan must have been to usurp the throne, and they both stand in the way. This strongly suggests that Macbeth must have intended to kill them on the same night he killed King Duncan. The most important reason for Macbeth's failure to kill the King's two sons is that he thought he heard a voice crying "to all the house," and therefore crying loud enough to wake everybody, including the intended victims themselves.
Methought a heard a voice cry "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep"—the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, Chief nourisher in life's feast.
Then there is the ominous knocking, which goes on and on and gets louder and louder. There can be no question of going back and murdering Malcolm and Donalbain when the knocking is sure to wake a lot of people.
Shakespeare solved the problem of having Macbeth become king without murdering the heir apparent Malcolm and his brother Donalbain, who would become the heir apparent if Macbeth only murdered Malcolm. The solution was to have the two boys flee for their lives, enabling Macbeth to pin their father's murder on them. According to Macbeth's accusation, Malcolm and Donalbain paid the two grooms to kill Duncan. Macbeth had killed the grooms before they had any chance to protest the boys' innocence.
Macbeth and his wife spend a lot of time discussing the proposed murder of Duncan, but say nothing about disposing of his two sons. The only indication that they had discussed it at all is in Macbeth's aside in Act I, Scene 4, right after Duncan announces his appointment of Malcolm as the Prince of Cumberland and therefore his successor to the Scottish throne.
The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
Shakespeare proably wanted to retain some modicum of audience sympathy for his tragic hero Macbeth and was afraid he would lose it altogether if he had him kill two innocent boys in their sleep—or even talk about doing it onstage.
Malcolm and Donalbain have no idea who bribed the grooms to kill their father. It could have been anyone. It could have been a plot by several of the thanes to establish a new government. Shakespeare, when he finally faced this plot problem, realized the two young men might decide to flee and thus make themselves vulnerable to the accusation that they were responsible for their father's murder. After all, Malcolm was the heir apparent and had the most to gain from his father's death. If Donalbain could be framed as a co-conspirator, he could become the Prince of Cumberland. Both boys are young, inexperienced, shocked, and badly frightened. They have no one to turn to for advice, since they can't trust anyone. Their idea of getting away from Dunsinane is a wise one. As Donalbain tells his brother, "Where we are There's daggers in men's smiles."
The quotation is part of the appearance vs. reality motif in Macbeth (and we find this motif in many plays of Shakespeare). We see the motif in the character of Lady Macbeth, for example, who, though she is a woman, desires the heart of a man in order to kill the king; even more, though she behaves with the grace of a lady when called upon to do so, she has already bloodied her hands with a dagger in participating in the death of Duncan. Without a doubt behind this woman's smiles lie daggers. The motif occurs again when she imagines she sees blood on her hands for what she "sees" is only in her mind--once more the truth of the situation not in the appearance but hidden, often metaphorically, behind it (in "seeing" blood she feels her guilt).
Duncan has just been murdered and his sons are watching people weep and wail as if the loss were too great to bear while their own tears remain unshed--they are too shocked and too vulnerable to give them liberty. They suspect that someone in the castle is responsible, and they have reason to mistrust (and fear) everyone that they thought were "friends." There is no way for them to know who the murderer is--especially since Macbeth has just killed the sleepy (drugged) blood smeared "murderers" in a fit of righteous rage (or so he claims). We know otherwise.
My reading of this line is that the "daggers in men's smiles" suggest that the people will smile to their face but those very smiles could kill them. Duncan, their father, was not a good judge of character. He even admitted that, saying of his misplaced faith in the original Cawdor that "there's no art/ to find the mind's construction in the face". In contrast to their innocent father, Malcolm and Donalbain understand that some people may appear friendly but have evil intentions.
In the context of Donalbain's other words, it seems clear that he means that they are unsafe in present company. He refers to the necessity of separation to ensure their safety and, immediately after the dagger reference, says that the "nearer the blood, the nearer bloody" (which I take to mean that he is aware that the closer he stays to this place where his father was killed and men smile daggers, the more likely he is to be killed himself.
Its important to note that this a continuation of the theme of deceit that Shakespeare began earlier in the play. In the beginning of Act II, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth he must "look like the innocent flower/yet be the serpent under it." She is instructing him to show a false face to the world, looking innocent but being dangerous. He takes her advice, but Donalbain lets us know that he sees through that disguise.
A good question. As with many of Shakespeare's great lines, it refers to a physical reality and a deeper meaning.
The physical reality? People have pointed teeth (some of them).
The deeper reality? People sometimes smile to deceive you, when they really mean to attack you. The smile is then a sign of betrayal. Since Donalbain says this line, after his father's death, it means he distrusts Macbeth's show of mourning/ sympathy.
The theme of suspicion in Macbeth
2 Educator Answers
Summary:
The theme of suspicion in Macbeth is pervasive, driving the plot and characters' actions. Macbeth's suspicion of others, fueled by his ambition and paranoia, leads to a cycle of mistrust and violence. Lady Macbeth's initial suspicion of Macbeth's resolve also propels their descent into treachery. Ultimately, suspicion corrodes relationships and contributes to the tragedy's catastrophic outcomes.
What examples in Macbeth further the theme of suspicion?
In the play Macbeth there is a great deal of suspicion and fear that occurs throughout the story. Shakespeare largely wrote the play in order to examine the contrast between a good/noble monarch and a tyrannical monarch so it is to be expected that royals often faced suspicion in some ways and had to be suspicious of those out to usurp their power. The theme of suspicion in Macbeth runs very deep as almost all of the major characters face suspicion in some way. Moreover, Macbeth himself is driven mad trying to escape those who he fears and remain in power after killing Duncan. First, Banquo exhibits suspicion when hearing the prophecy from the weird sisters in the woods- he does not initially believe the prophecy and even understands that the witches are attempting to lure them into an evil trap. Second, Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth for his role in Duncan's murder. Next, Macbeth becomes suspicious of Banquo and what he might do in order to make his sons into kings and this leads to Banquo's death. Macebth becomes further suspicious of MacDuff when the witches tell him "Beware MacDuff" which leads to Macbeth slaughtering MacDuff's family. And finally, when MacDuff flees and meets with Malcolm, Malcolm is ultimately suspicious of MacDuff that he might be luring him to his demise by having him return to Scotland. As you can see, there are many individuals who are all extremely fearful throughout the play. This suspicion often leads people to act irrationally and behave in ways that are outside of their character.
What instances in Macbeth involve suspicion or being suspected?
There is definitely a lot of suspicion abound in Macbeth.
First of all, Macbeth is suspicious of Banquo and Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth. Both have heard the prophecy. Banquo wonders why Macbeth seems interested in it, and tries to warn him not to listen.
Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promised, and I fear
Thou play'dst most foully for't: (Act 3, Scene 1, p. 40)
Yet Macbeth also wonders about Banquo, since he is not pleased with the “fruitless crown” since Banquo’s sons are supposed to be king, not Macbeth’s.
Macbeth is also very suspicious of Banquo after he kills Duncan. Duncan, who should have been suspicious of Macbeth, was not.
To be thus is nothing,
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd. (Act 3, Scene 1, p. 42)
Suspicion runs deep. Malcolm is also suspicious of Macduff, and tests his loyalty before allowing him to assist in taking back the crown. He tries to tempt Macduff into agreeing with him that he is unfit to rule, but Macduff passes the test.
Macduff, this noble passion,
Child of integrity, hath from my soul(130)
Wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts
To thy good truth and honor. (Act 4, Scene 3, p. 70)
In the end, Macbeth begins to worry. He refuses to hear reports of desertion or soldiers coming for him. He is right to be suspicious though—they are coming!
The theme "Things are not always what they seem" in Macbeth
4 Educator Answers
Summary:
The theme "Things are not always what they seem" in Macbeth is evident through the deceptive appearances of characters and events. Macbeth appears loyal yet harbors ambition, the witches’ prophecies seem straightforward but are misleading, and Lady Macbeth portrays strength while internally crumbling. These examples highlight the discrepancy between appearance and reality throughout the play.
How does Macbeth embody the theme "Things are not always what they seem"?
Macbeth finds out that things are not always what they seem. He begins as a soldier fighting for King Duncan and Scotland. He seems content to be a fierce soldier. King Duncan bestows honor upon Macbeth for his outstanding military service. Then Macbeth changes. He begins to covet the throne that belongs to King Duncan.
Macbeth is not as loyal to King Duncan as it would have seemed. After the witches plant "black and deep desires" into Macbeth's heart, things are not what they seem.
It would seem that Macbeth has invited King Duncan to his home to share a meal and celebrate the military victory. Macbeth has other plans for King Duncan. He plans to murder King Duncan at his home. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth appear to be entertaining the King, but both have evil plans that will bring an upset to the throne of Scotland.
Then it appears that Macbeth has changed his mind. He tells Lady Macbeth that they will proceed no further into the business of murdering King Duncan:
We will proceed no further in this business.
He has recently honored me, and I now have the
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which I want to enjoy for a bit longer, and
Not cast them aside so soon.
Things are not what they seem. Macbeth has changed his mind. He no longer desires to murder King Duncan. Of course, Lady Macbeth will not take no for an answer. She challenges Macbeth's manhood and convinces him to proceed with the murdering of King Duncan. It appears that Lady Macbeth is more interested in the the throne than Macbeth.
When Lady Macbeth gets what she wants, it appears that she is not happy with her position. She cannot wash the bloodstains from her hands. Things are not what they seem to be. Lady Macbeth is not basking in the honor of being queen of Scotland. She is losing her sanity. Being queen is not as wonderful as it once seemed.
As Lady Macbeth loses her mind, Macbeth is finding out that being king is not to be a coveted position as he had once anticipated. Truly, things are not always what they seem.
In the end, Macbeth loses his wife in death. He faces death himself. Things are not what they always seemed to be. Macbeth has lost everything he had hoped to gain. Macduff beheads Macbeth. The end is not what Macbeth had once thought it would be.
How does the theme "things aren't always what they seem" apply to Macbeth?
On the face of it, Macbeth seems like a loyal servant to his king, Duncan. Duncan certainly seems to think so; he appreciates Macbeth's sterling service and rewards his most loyal and faithful servant with the title of Thane of Cawdor, whose previous holder—irony of ironies—turned out to be a traitor.
But all the while, Macbeth can't assuage the overweening ambition that burns deep inside him. He should be content with his lot, and yet he can't help thinking that there's something still missing in his life: the crown of Scotland. To all the world, he seems to have everything that a Scottish noble could possibly want. But it's not enough, and the very last man that anyone would suspect of wanting to usurp Duncan's throne sets about committing the ultimate act of treachery and betrayal.
How does the theme "things aren't always what they seem" apply to Macbeth?
I think you can best see this theme in connection with the various prophecies that the witches make.
When we first see them, the witches predict that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and that he will become king. When Macbeth finds out that he has become Thane of Cawdor, he thinks that the prophecy means that somehow he will automatically become the king. But what the prophecy really means is that he will kill the king in his attempt to become king himself. So it wasn't a prophecy about destiny -- it was a prophecy about what he would do.
A second prophecy said that he would remain king until Birnam Wood came to Dunsinane. It also said he would never be beaten by a man born of woman. He thinks this means he'll never lose. But he does lose because Macduff wasn't really born in the natural way and because the soldiers come against him camouflaged with bits of Birnam Wood.
So the prophecies seem to be saying one thing, but they're really saying something else.
What quotes suggest things in Macbeth are not as they seem?
*Original questions have been edited down to a single question (per eNotes policy).
From the very beginning in Act I, scene I, the witches' chant sets the stage for the theme of appearances versus reality:
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair" (I.i.11).
Much of Macbeth hinges upon false appearances and deception. The witches' contradictory chant suggests that objects or people with the appearance of goodness and being "fair" may actually be corrupt and "foul." Certainly Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reveals themselves to be duplicitous in their appearance of being kindly hostesses to the King Duncan while at the same time plotting his death. Lady Macbeth advises her husband to hide his treacherous thoughts:
"bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under't" (I.v.69-71).
Lady Macbeth's suggestion reveals her own potential for deceit. She is definitely not what she outwardly portrays herself to be, which is a kindly, gracious woman. Like the witches' chant, Lady Macbeth appears to be "fair" but is inwardly "foul" (I.i.11).
Macbeth is a play about contradictions and the difficulty in perceiving people's true intentions and motives. The witches' chant of "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" becomes Shakespeare's own prophecy for Macbeth, predicting that the characters are not always what they pretend to be (I.i.11)
The meaning and significance of the line "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust. O worthiest cousin!" in Macbeth
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
The line "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust. O worthiest cousin!" in Macbeth signifies King Duncan's deep trust in Macbeth. This statement is ironic because Macbeth later betrays Duncan by murdering him to seize the throne. The line highlights themes of betrayal and the deceptive nature of appearances in the play.
What does Macbeth's line "He was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust. / O worthiest cousin!" mean?
In Act 1, Scene 4, Duncan is discussing the former Thane of Cawdor, a noble who had committed treason against the Scottish throne, with his older son, Malcolm. For this reason, Duncan ordered the Thane's immediate execution, and he swiftly awarded the traitor's title (and lands) to Macbeth as a reward for his loyal and courageous service to the crown in the battles against the rebel Macdonwald and the Norwegian king's army.
In the lines just prior to these, Duncan laments the impossibility of knowing what a person is thinking just by looking at his face. In other words, it is too easy to be deceived by another. In the lines you cite, he says that the old Thane of Cawdor was a man whom he completely trusted, and so it is that much more upsetting to the king that he was deceived by him. He then turns to Macbeth, his kinsman, and calls him "worthiest cousin." This is somewhat ironic because, when Macbeth was told by the Weird Sisters that he would be king, he immediately began to consider what he might have to do (i.e. get rid of the current king) to make this happen. In other words, Duncan was not only deceived in the old Thane of Cawdor, but he is likewise deceived regarding the trustworthiness of the new.
Who said "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust. O worthiest cousin!" in Macbeth and what is its significance?
This is how King Duncan describes the former Thane of Cawdor. The significance of it is that what has happened to Duncan once is doomed to happen again. Duncan believed his previous thane to be a loyal man, a worthy person, and somebody who would be loyal to him, but unfortunately that turned out not to be the case. In turn, then, Duncan bestows the honor of this thaneship upon Macbeth, whom he again believes to be a worthy man who has proved himself. But, unfortunately for Duncan, the same thing is about to happen to him—the person he believed to be a loyal vassal, courageous and worthy of the honors bestowed upon him, is in fact about to betray him in the worst way. It is not always possible to see on the surface how a person feels on the inside. Duncan has not been able to identify which of his servants are truly loyal, and which secretly resent him and harbor ambitions against him.
Who said "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust. O worthiest cousin!" in Macbeth and what is its significance?
In act one, scene four, Malcolm describes to King Duncan how the former Thane of Cawdor acted before his execution, and the king responds by saying that there is no way to read a man's mind by looking at his face. King Duncan then tells his son,
"He [former Thane of Cawdor] was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust" (Shakespeare, 1.4.13–14).
King Duncan's comment regarding the former Thane of Cawdor's capacity for dissembling echoes the motif "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," which is a theme that runs throughout the play and means that appearances can be deceiving. Similar to how the former Thane of Cawdor acted benevolent and loyal to Duncan while secretly colluding with the Norwegian King, Macbeth also secretly plots the king's demise while appearing to be Duncan's loyal subject. While Macbeth and his wife are planning the king's murder, Duncan is unaware of their wicked intentions, and Macbeth ends up assassinating him.
The significance of doubles and duplicity in Macbeth
4 Educator Answers
Summary:
The significance of doubles and duplicity in Macbeth lies in the play's exploration of appearance versus reality. Characters often present false fronts, such as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's outward loyalty versus their inner ambition. The motif of doubling, like the witches' prophecies, underscores the duality of human nature and the deceptive nature of fate and ambition.
What does "double" signify in Macbeth?
There are a number of words that appear obviously as motifs in Macbeth (blood, sleep, etc.). The word "double" is also a motif, though it doesn't seem to get quite the amount of attention that other, more concrete/tangible words get in analysis.
The word "double" appears in both literal and abstract form in the play. It appears literally when the witches describe their plans: "Double, double toil and trouble" (Act 1, Scene 1), where they mean to literally double the trouble that is about to happen. First, they use the word twice (doubling it); the punctuation of the sentence makes the word appear as a repetitive device. Also, the witches are troublemakers, and they like to cause as much difficulty for their targets as possible. By doubling, in this case, Macbeth's trouble, they get to experience double the amount of glee at watching the consequences.
Another literal use is from the Captain as he describes the battle in Act 1, Scene 2. "As cannons overcharged with double cracks / So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe." This helps to show the force and height of the battle: the cannons were packed with double the ammunition, and the soldiers "doubly redoubled," meaning they possibly quadrupled their physical efforts (shots, stabs, etc.) on the opposition.
Beyond the literal meanings, the word "double" has an abstract meaning as well that contributes to one of the main themes of Macbeth: the idea that things are not as they seem to be. More specifically, the word suggests that, though Macbeth appears to act with confidence, he actually spends the entire play becoming weaker and more dependent on those around him.
"He's here in double trust," Macbeth says to describe King Duncan and his visit to Inverness in Act 1, Scene 7. This shows that Macbeth is already feeling guilt, though his actions suggest otherwise. It's impossible to "double trust"; either you trust someone, or you don't. Though Macbeth tries to use the word, in this case, literally (Duncan sees Macbeth as both a subject and as a host), the subtext suggests Macbeth is actually feeling twice the guilt over what he is about to do.
This idea continues toward the conclusion of the play (Act 4, Scene 1) when Macbeth makes the decision to kill MacDuff. "Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? / But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, / And take a bond of fate." There is no need to touch MacDuff; he is not a threat to Macbeth's future. Yet, Macbeth is now mired in the witches' prophecies so deeply, he's compelled by guilt and dependence on the witches' words to "make double sure." (Again, like trust, one cannot be "double" sure; you're either sure, or you're not).
Though other words in Macbeth often receive more attention for their literal, concrete qualities, the word "double" contributes significant meaning to the play; looking for recurrences of this word can double the reader's enjoyment and understanding of the text.
How do doubles and duplicity significantly influence Macbeth?
Macbeth begins with thunder and lightning and the witches chant:"Fair is foul, and foul is fair".(I.i.10). Without being blatantly obvious, there is no doubt in the mind of the audience that Macbeth will hold several inconsistencies, many of them "foul."
Doublespeak understates events and infers ambiguity; interpretation is open to the audience and the characters; such as Macbeth's version of the witches prophesies. Banquo and Macbeth both hear the prophesies and both have much to gain but Banquo's interpretation of the "truths" that "the instruments of darkness tell us" (I.iii.124) and Macbeth's "cannot be ill; cannot be good"(131) result in quite different actions. Macbeth will take it upon himself to ensure that his "black and deep desires" (I.iv.51) are realized.
Macbeth's overriding confidence in the prophesies will lead to his ultimate downfall as he believes he is invincible especially when, on turning to the witches later in the play, they tell Macbeth that "none of woman born" (IV.i.80) shall harm him and that Macbeth shall"never vanquish'd be " until Birnam Wood advances on him about which Macbeth scoffs arrogantly and turns his thoughts to Banquo's sons who remain a concern in his fight "to reign in this kingdom."(102)
The duality in Macbeth is seen in the battle between good and evil. Macbeth is praised initially and as a noble warrior is rewarded by his king. It seems that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's "vaulting ambition" will override all else but Lady Macbeth's increasing delusions and descent into madness as "more needs she the divine than the physician (V.i.72) and Macbeth's increasing risk-taking until he realizes that the witches are nothing more than "juggling fiends"(V.viii.19), serve to return the status quo as, in conclusion, "the dead butcher , and his fiend-like queen"(69) have been removed and the rightful heir will be "crown'd at Scone. "(75)
Hence, the doublespeak and duality reinforce the plot and ensure that the play ends fitfully and to the satisfaction of the audience.
What is the significance of the word "double" in Macbeth?
I actually think that the word is quite a fascinating one in the play. Ms-mcgregor gives you a good gloss of it above, and its meaning in the prophecies scene. Yet it also comes up lots of other times, and when it does, it seems to me often to imply its opposite: that is, "doubling" something in Macbeth seems to mean that it isn't there at all.
He's here in double trust;
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. (1.7)
Duncan trusts "double" - he should actually not trust at all. And here's Lady Macbeth talking about how much she wants him to come to the house (she's going to murder him!):
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... (1.6)
Later, Macbeth decides not to kill Macduff because of the prophecy that he himself can't be killed:
Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?
But yet I'll make assurance double sure,
And take a bond of fate. (4.1)
This "assurance", of course, doesn't actually involve killing Macduff. It doesn't assure anything at all. And finally, Macbeth realises that the "doubleness" of the witches' advice makes it entirely useless:
And be these juggling fiends no more believed,
That palter with us in a double sense. (5.8)
Strange, isn't it?
What is the significance of the word "double" in Macbeth?
In Act IV, scene 1, the witches are casting some kind of spell. After the ingredients for the incantation are put in a pot, all three say:
"Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble."( IV,i,34-35)
The significance of the word double is just was the would "double" means, to
increase by two times. They want twice the trouble and toil
( hard work) to come on their victim as would usually occur.However, this is
also a a reference to the double meanings of the predictions the witches are
about to give Macbeth about his future.
After they use the word "double, double" they chant three times to make sure
all three predictions they will make will be powerful.
Macbeth then appears and asks the witches about his future. The witches are
call upon three spirits or apparitions to tell him his future. Although the
things the apparitions tell Macbeth are true, they are full of double meanings
that Macbeth does not understand. Especially meaningful are two messages. One
tells him he will not be killed by an man borne of a woman. This leads Macbeth
to think no man can kill him. The other prediction is that Macbeth will not be
defeated until, “Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against
him.” Macbeth believes that having a forest move is impossible and so once
again he feels falsely secure. However, both prophecies have double meaning
that the audience can consider, but Macbeth does not and he is lead to his
downfall.
The depiction of betrayal in Macbeth, especially through Duncan's murder scenes
2 Educator Answers
Summary:
The depiction of betrayal in Macbeth is most evident in Duncan's murder scenes. Macbeth, driven by ambition and spurred on by Lady Macbeth, betrays his king and kinsman by committing regicide. This act of treachery sets off a chain of events that leads to Macbeth's own downfall, highlighting the destructive nature of betrayal.
How is betrayal depicted in Macbeth?
Betrayal in Shakespeare's Macbeth is personified by the Thanes of Cawdor, meaning Macbeth, the current Thane of Cawdor, and his immediate predecessor.
The audience learns of the former Thane of Cawdor's betrayal in act 1, scene 2 and of his defeat by his as-yet-unnamed successor, Macbeth.
ROSS. ...Norway himself, with terrible numbers,
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor
The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict,
Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof,
Confronted him with self-comparisons,
Point against point rebellious, arm ’gainst arm,
Curbing his lavish spirit; and, to conclude,
The victory fell on us. (1.2.60-67)
The audience also learns of Macbeth's new title, bestowed on him by King Duncan.
DUNCAN. No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth. (1.2.60-67, 74-76)
Macbeth has yet to hear of his new title, but when he does—along with a prophesy that he will one day be king—it causes Macbeth to briefly reconsider his loyalties to King Duncan.
MACBETH. [Aside.] This supernatural soliciting
Cannot be ill, cannot be good....I am Thane of Cawdor.
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature? (1.3.141-148)
Macbeth decides against betraying Duncan, at least for the moment.
MACBETH. [Aside.] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me
Without my stir. (1.3.155-157)
That moment doesn't last very long. In the next scene, Duncan himself gives Macbeth a reason to revisit his thoughts of disloyalty when Duncan declares his son, Malcolm, as his heir and successor.
MACBETH. [Aside.] That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.... (1.4.55-58)
The idea of betraying Duncan never really sits well with Macbeth. Even after he agrees to murder Duncan, he still has second thoughts:
MACBETH. ... He's here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself.... (1.7.12-16)
Doubts and regrets about his betrayal of his king and country plague Macbeth long after Duncan's murder. These doubts don't seem to cause him any concern, however, about betraying and ordering the deaths of Banquo, his friend and comrade-in-arms, and Banquo's son, Fleance, who Macbeth considers threats to his throne.
Lady Macbeth also betrays Duncan, but she exhibits no sense of betrayal and certainly no sense of regret. For Lady Macbeth, it seems a foregone conclusion that Duncan will be murdered while he's under her roof.
LADY MACBETH. The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements....MACBETH. My dearest love,
Duncan comes here tonight.LADY MACBETH. And when goes hence?
MACBETH. Tomorrow, as he purposes.
LADY MACBETH. O, never
Shall sun that morrow see! (1.5.39-41, 61-66)
Lady Macbeth doesn't really ask for Macbeth's opinion on the matter and simply forges ahead with plans to murder Duncan.
MACBETH. We will speak further.
LADY MACBETH. Only look up clear;
To alter favor ever is to fear:
Leave all the rest to me. (1.5.76-79)
It's generally believed that Lady Macbeth goes mad and kills herself because of her guilt and regret for Duncan's murder. The reason for Lady Macbeth's madness is wholly ambiguous, however, as in the method of her death.
When Seyton tells Macbeth that Lady Macbeth is dead, Macbeth neither asks nor is told why or how she died. (5.5.18)
Malcolm refers to Lady Macbeth's death in his last speech at the end of the play.
MALCOLM. ... his fiend-like queen,
Who, as ’tis thought, by self and violent hands
Took off her life. (5.7.79-81)
Malcolm's words "as 'tis thought" leave the manner of Lady Macbeth's death very much in doubt.
Suffice it to say that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ultimately pay the price of their betrayal, and Malcolm no doubt learns that he should be very careful whom he names as the next Thane of Cawdor.
How do Duncan's murder scenes in Macbeth relate to themes of betrayal?
The scene of Duncan's murder relates to the theme of betrayal, especially in the way that Macbeth, who should be Duncan's host and loyal lord, is the one who commits the murder. Macbeth certainly has misgivings about committing the crime all the way up to the moment of the murder. He fears retribution for his act, which to him seems a violation of Duncan's trust and good faith. In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth frets over his plan and acknowledges the implied betrayal of his actions:
[Duncan's] here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,(15)
Not bear the knife myself. (I.vii.13-16)
Duncan's murder is steeped in betrayal, for the reasons listed by Macbeth himself in the above quote; he betrays the king both in terms of being his subject as well as his host.
After Macbeth murders Duncan in his sleep, he cannot bring himself to return to the scene of his betrayal:
I'll go no more:
I am afraid to think what I have done;(65)
Look on't again I dare not (II.ii.64-66)
Macbeth's repulsion at the crime he has committed convicts and terrifies
him. He laments that "Neptune's ocean" might not have enough water to
cleanse the blood from his hands; his guilt at the betrayal he has committed
against the king threatens to overwhelm him.
What does the line "A dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding for the heat oppressed brain" mean in Macbeth?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
What this line means is that Macbeth is wondering whether the dagger he sees before him is real or just a figment of his overheated imagination. Macbeth is about to kill Duncan, and the fact that he's wondering whether his eyes are playing tricks on him is a sign that he's not in the right frame of mind.
Just before Macbeth makes his way to Duncan's chamber to commit the dastardly deed of regicide, he is struck by the vision of a dagger. Macbeth's first reaction is to ask himself if this is a dagger he sees before him. Of course it is; but the more important question is this: Is it actually real or just a figment of Macbeth's overheated imagination?
This is what Macbeth means when he asks if the dagger is simply
a dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?
(act 2, scene 1, lines 38–39)
In other words, Macbeth wants to know if the dagger he sees before him is just a hallucination, the product of a fevered brain. The very fact that Macbeth even has to ask such a question at such a vital moment indicates what kind of mental state he's in.
We know from previous scenes that he's not entirely comfortable with the prospect of murdering the man to whom he owes absolute loyalty. The feverish vision he sees before him could be seen as an additional confirmation of Macbeth's reservations about committing such a foul, ignoble deed.
And yet, the vision of the dagger appears as real to Macbeth as the dagger in his sheath, the one he's about to use to murder Duncan. It goads him on, leading him towards Duncan's chamber, where the murder will be committed. In that sense, the dagger's appearance could be seen as a manifestation of the supernatural forces to which Macbeth has succumbed.
These lines are from Act 2.1. Here, Macbeth is experiencing what might be a moral crisis. He knows he is about to kill Duncan, but he is imagining what it will be like to actually hold the dagger and carry out the act.
Macbeth is properly horrified by his vision, but then a ringing bell snaps him back to reality and he feels new resolve to fulfill his plan.
Here is the soliloquy:Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight? or art thou but
A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?
I see thee yet, in form as palpable
As this which now I draw.
Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going;
And such an instrument I was to use.
Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses,
Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still,
And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood,
Which was not so before. There's no such thing:
It is the bloody business which informs
Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one halfworld
Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse
The curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder,
Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf,
Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace.
With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design
Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth,
Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear
Thy very stones prate of my whereabout,
And take the present horror from the time,
Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives:
Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.
(A bell rings.)
I go, and it is done. The bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or hell.
What does "supernatural soliciting" mean and how can it not be ill, according to Macbeth?
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
"Supernatural soliciting" refers to the witches' predictions in Macbeth. Macbeth reasons it cannot be ill because one prediction (becoming Thane of Cawdor) has already come true, making him believe the witches are truthful and good. However, he also questions why their predictions lead him to consider regicide, suggesting they might not be entirely good or evil. His reasoning is flawed, as true predictions do not necessarily indicate a good source.
When Macbeth refers to "supernatural soliciting" in Act One of the play named after him, he's referring to the predictions made by the witches. Basically, Macbeth is thinking aloud, trying to figure out if the witches are good or evil, whether they are trying to help him or doom him.
Macbeth reasons that the witches cannot be evil or wrong or lying because they have given him an "earnest" (a down payment) on the second prediction (that he will be king), since the first prediction (that he will be Thane of Cawdor) has come true. Macbeth reasons that the witches must be speaking accurately and truthfully to him, rather than trying to "play" him. He assumes that because the first prediction came true, the witches must be good, not evil.
At the same time, Macbeth reasons that if the witches are good and are speaking in a clear, straightforward manner, then why have their predictions led him to think the unthinkable--that he should kill the king in order to get the throne for himself. Something good cannot lead to something so evil.
Thus, Macbeth reasons that the witches can't be evil or good. He is at this point undecided about them and their predictions.
Macbeth's reasoning, of course, is faulty here. He assumes that a prediction that comes true must come from a "good" source. Obviously, that is not the case. He also fails to understand that he begins to think about assassinating the king because of his tremendous ambition. His thoughts do not necessarily reflect on the witches. They reflect on him. A different man, his foil, Banquo, for instance, can hear predictions similar to those concerning Macbeth, without immediately thinking of murder to make those predictions come true in a hurry. Banquo would love to see his heirs rule Scotland, but he is content to wait and let fate take its course.
In Macbeth, why are the witches considered the most powerful characters?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
The witches in Macbeth are considered the most powerful characters because their prophecies drive Macbeth to assassinate King Duncan, leading to a series of violent events and his ultimate downfall. Their influence makes Macbeth overconfident and tyrannical, directly contributing to his demise. Scholars argue their power stems from their supernatural nature and Macbeth's own ambitious, suggestible character.
In Macbeth, the witches are the most powerful characters because of their ability to influence Macbeth. To provide an example of this, consider Macbeth before he meets with the witches. His loyalty to King Duncan is without a doubt: he risks his life for Duncan on the battlefield, for instance, and is already the Thane of Glamis, a title which further highlights his loyalty to and special relationship with the king.
Once Macbeth meets with the witches and hears their prophecies, Macbeth's character and values begin to rapidly change. When Duncan makes him the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth perceives this act as proof that the witches are correct when, in reality, it is a token of Duncan's gratitude. Moreover, Macbeth immediately starts to think about murdering Duncan. He has clearly never had thoughts like this before since he is disgusted and frightened by them, as shown in Act I, Scene III:
Why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs.
So, the witches play a pivotal role in eroding Macbeth's loyalty to Duncan and awakening his inner ambition. It is for these reasons that they are the most powerful characters in the play.
How are the witches powerful in Macbeth?
Though there is disagreement among readers about whether or not the Weird Sisters truly possess the ability to prophesy or influence the future, it is clear they do have some supernatural powers at least. For example, after delivering their predictions to Macbeth and Banquo in Act I, Scene 3, the witches vanish. Obviously, this is not something the average person can do, so it does show us the Weird Sisters have some power.
Later, the Weird Sisters meet up with Hecate, the ancient Greek goddess of witchcraft and magic, and they discuss how they are going to continue to manipulate Macbeth. Namely, they will make him feel safe so he lets down his guard and becomes vulnerable. Hecate says, "you all know security / Is mortals' chiefest enemy" (Act III, Scene 5, lines 32-33). She and the witches powerfully manipulate Macbeth so he feels secure, using the apparitions they conjure to do so. They are thus powerful in this way as well.
What messages does Macbeth receive from the three apparitions in Macbeth?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
The three messages Macbeth receives from the three apparitions are that he should beware of Macduff, that no man born of woman will harm him, and that he will not be conquered until Birnam Wood marches to fight him.
In the "apparition scene," act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth goes to the witches in the heath—possibly the same heath where the witches appeared to Macbeth and Banquo in act 1, scene 3 and prophesied that Macbeth "shalt be King hereafter" (1.3.53)—and Macbeth confronts the witches and demands to know what the future holds for him.
Rather than answer his questions themselves, the witches call upon their "masters" (4.1.67), the spirits or Fates that the witches consult for their prophecies, who appear to Macbeth in a series of apparitions.
The first apparition, "an Armed Head," a disembodies head wearing a helmet, tells Macbeth, "Beware Macduff; / Beware the Thane of Fife" (4.1.79–80). Macbeth responds that he's concerned about Macduff, saying "Thou hast harp'd my fear aright" (4.1.82), but Macbeth believes that he can defeat Macduff, so he's not particularly concerned about out the first apparition's message.
Macbeth should have been concerned about Macduff and about the apparition itself—a severed head—which graphically demonstrates Macbeth's fate.
The second apparition appears as "a Bloody Child"—bloody as if from childbirth, not from injuries—who tells Macbeth to "Be bloody, bold, and resolute" (4.1. 87), which Macbeth already believes he is, and that "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth" (4.1.90–91). Macbeth takes this to mean that he's invincible, that no one can kill him, including Macduff.
MACBETH. Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? (4.1.92)
Nevertheless, the ever-cautious Macbeth decides to have Macduff killed.
MACBETH. But yet I'll make assurance double sure,
And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live. (4.1.94–95)
Macbeth seems to think that the second message, that "none of woman born" can harm him, somehow negates the first message, "Beware Macduff." Macbeth later learns that these are two messages are very closely related and that the first message doesn't at all negate the second message.
The third message, from the third apparition, "a Child Crowned, with a tree in his hand," tells Macbeth to ignore his enemies, because Macbeth can't be defeated "until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him" (4.1.103–105).
Macbeth decides that this means that he can't be defeated, since no one can "bid the tree / Unfix his earth-bound root" (4.1.107–108) and have the forest march against him at Dunsinane Castle.
Macbeth fails to take notice of the apparition who gave him the third message, the child who was holding a branch of tree "in his hand," which is exactly the manner in which Macduff's army attacks Macbeth at Dunsinane.
The messages of these three apparitions, although important to Macbeth, are incidental to what Macbeth really wants to know. The prophecy that the witches made to Banquo in act 1, scene 3, "Thou shalt get [beget] kings, though thou be none" (1.3.7), still haunts Macbeth, and he demands to know "shall Banquo's issue ever / Reign in this kingdom?" (4.1.114–115).
If the answer to Macbeth's pressing question is "no," Macbeth truly has nothing to fear from Macduff or anyone else. If the answer is "yes," the messages of the other three apparitions are of no real consequence, because whether Macbeth is killed or dies of old age, Macbeth will leave no legacy and Banquo's descendants will become Kings of Scotland.
The witches tell Macbeth not to ask that question, but Macbeth insists on knowing the answer, and he threatens to put "an eternal curse" (4.1.118) on the witches—who, as witches, would seem to be invulnerable to curses—if they don't tell him.
The witches decide to answer Macbeth's question, and a fourth apparition presents "A show of eight Kings, and Banquo last with a glass in his hand." A parade of eight kings, all resembling Banquo, appears, followed by Banquo himself, who holds up a mirror to show Macbeth the many, many more kings who look like Banquo that stretch in a line "out to the crack of doom" (4.1.130).
Macbeth demands to know if this apparition is true, and a witch assures him "Ay, sir, all this is so" (138).
The irony of the message of the fourth apparition is that it's actually untrue. Even though the apparition shows a line of kings descending from Banquo and stretching into infinity, at the end of the play, Duncan's son Malcolm—not Banquo's son Fleance—becomes king. The line of the Kings of Scotland actually descends from Duncan, not from Banquo.
What three apparitions does Macbeth see, and what does each tell him?
In Act IV Macbeth, feeling his paranoia, returns to the witches after having seen the ghost of Banquo. In Act III, Scene 4, when Macduff fails to attend the banquet, Macbeth becomes very disturbed.
It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood,
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak. (3.4.)
Macbeth questions everyone's motives. Feeling that he has no other recourse, he wants the witches to inform him about what is going to happen. So, on Macbeth's return, the witches summon three apparitions.
1. The first apparition appears shouting Macbeth's name. It is an Armed Head, the symbol for Macduff. It warns Macbeth, "Beware Macduff!" (4.1.74) Macbeth thanks it for the warning and remarks that it has mentioned what he has feared.
2. The second apparition then appears after there is the sound of thunder. This apparition is "a Bloody Child," which is a symbol of Macduff at birth. It calls Macbeth's name three times, then tells him to "Be bloody, bold, and resolute," for then no one born of woman will harm Macbeth. Hearing this, Macbeth becomes confident and says,
Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?
But yet, I'll make assurance double sure,
And take a bond of fate. (4.1.85-86)
So, he decides to kill Macduff anyway and get a guarantee from fate.
3. The third apparition appears; it is a child wearing a crown and holding a tree. This apparition tells Macbeth that he will never be vanquished until
Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill
Shall come against him. (4.1.97-98)
In other words, the Birnam woods must move toward the castle. Hearing this, Macbeth feels reassured that he will remain king. However, he notes that his heart "Throbs to know one thing." Macbeth still worries whether Banquo's sons will ever reign as kings. He demands the witches tell him. They show him a vision of eight kings and Banquo. Macbeth may not be worried that the third prophecy will ever occur, but he is very worried that the sons of Banquo will reign.
Unnatural events in Macbeth following Duncan's murder that reflect the disrupted order
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
Unnatural events following Duncan's murder in Macbeth include horses eating each other, a falcon being killed by an owl, and an earthquake. These occurrences symbolize the upheaval in the natural order caused by the regicide, reflecting the chaos and moral disorder unleashed by Macbeth's actions.
What unnatural event in Macbeth occurs after King Duncan's death that causes fear?
The darkness during the day, as described by Ross, appears to be a solar eclipse.
For additional examples of Shakespeare’s use of solar and lunar eclipses to indicate disorder or imminent change, see:
What unnatural event in Macbeth occurs after King Duncan's death that causes fear?
Ross discusses with the old man about the unnatural occurrences that have both men afraid:
"Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore
night
Hath trifled former knowings,"
"Ross. Ah! good father,
Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's
act,
Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?
Old Man.'Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon, towering in her pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd.
Ross. And Duncan's horses,—a thing most
strange and certain,—
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would
Make war with mankind." (Act II, Scene IV)
-Night or darkness in the daytime
-An owl has killed a mighty falcon
-Duncan's horses broke out of their stalls and killed and ate each other.
-The weather is violent, blowing and swirling and destroying homes
Nature is out of sync because of Duncan's murder. The balance between good and evil has been tipped in favor of evil with Macbeth's heinous crime against a divinely appointed king.
What unnatural events occur in Shakespeare's Macbeth after Duncan's murder, reflecting the disrupted order?
There are specific events referred to in Macbeth that reflect the presence of the supernatural, a recurring theme in Shakespeare's play. While the presence of the witches speaks to a darker power, the unnatural occurrences relate to what is called the Great Chain of Being, in which the Elizabethan strongly believed.
The Great Chain of Being dictated that all things had a place, much like the caste system in India. God was at the top of the chain, followed by the angels. Next came monarchs. At the bottom would be worms or dirt. One of the worst things Macbeth does in the play is to kill Duncan (a "mortal" sin)—the Elizabethans would have been appalled as his actions broke the solemn rules of hospitality which implied that anyone who was a guest in your house, even your worst enemy, could enjoy complete safety and protection while under your roof. Beside breaking this unwritten law, Macbeth kills a member of his family (Duncan is his cousin) and his friend. Worst of all, however, is that Macbeth kills the King, ordained by God.
The unnatural occurrences reflect that there is now disorder in the universe because God's chosen king has been killed and someone else is on the throne, not ordained by God. There are a list of examples of this "disruption of order" mentioned by several characters in the play: and they begin to occur at the moment of Duncan's death. Elizabethans would expect these events to continue until a balance was restored (in this case, with Macbeth's death and Malcolm's return to the throne of Scotland.)
In Act Two, scene three, just before the discovery of Duncan's murder, Lennox reports unusual occurrences in the night (this would also be foreshadowing)—the weather was wild, chimneys were blown off of house tops, wailing and screams of death, as well as "speaking in tongues" (prophecies) were heard. The owl, a harbinger of death, cried out all night, and there was an earthquake.
The night has been unruly. Where we lay,
Our chimneys were blown down, and, as they say,
Lamentings heard i’ the air, strange screams of death,
And prophesying with accents terrible
Of dire combustion and confused events
New hatch'd to the woeful time. The obscure bird
Clamor'd the livelong night. Some say the earth
Was feverous and did shake. (55-62)
A few days pass, and Ross and an Old Man discuss more unnatural events. In the next scene (four), Ross comments on the eclipse taking place:
By the clock ’tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp. (7-8)
The Old Man notes that other unnatural things—like Duncan's death ("the deed that's done")—are taking place. What is usually the prey has become the predator:
OLD MAN:
’Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last
A falcon towering in her pride of place
Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd. (12-15)
Finally, and perhaps most frightening, is Ross's report about the King's horse. The most noble of beasts have become wild since Duncan's death, breaking down their stalls as if they were at "war with mankind." (Ross also confirms reports that the Old Man has heard—that the horses have been eating at one another.)
And Duncan's horses—a thing most strange and
certain—
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending ’gainst obedience, as they would make
War with mankind. (16-21)
According to Elizabethan beliefs, Macbeth not only has offended mankind with his actions, but also God.
The fulfillment of the witches' prophecies in Act 5 of Macbeth
4 Educator Answers
Summary:
In Act 5 of Macbeth, the witches' prophecies are fulfilled when Birnam Wood appears to move towards Dunsinane Hill and Macbeth is killed by Macduff, who was not "born of woman" in the usual way but was delivered by a Caesarean section. These events lead to Macbeth's downfall, as predicted.
How are the prophecies from act 4, scene 1 of Macbeth fulfilled in act 5?
In act IV, scene 1 of Macbeth, the apparitions, who have arrived with Hecate, pronounce three warnings or predictions. The First Apparition warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff, the Thane of Fife. The Second Apparition, in the form of a bloody child, encourages him to be “bold” and scornful of others’ power. It states that “none of woman born” will harm him. It turns out both statements refer to Macduff. The Third Apparition predicts that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
After hearing the second statement, Macbeth dismisses the warning, believing the second cancels the first. He interprets the second pronouncement to mean that he cannot be harmed, reasoning every person is born. The third statement is even more encouraging: it seems an undeniable fact that trees cannot be uprooted and made to move.
Act V shows how wrong Macbeth was, as he interprets the statements to mean that he lives “a charmed life” rather than take them as warnings. As scene 6 begins, is set outside. The stage directions read:
Enter Malcolm, Siward, Macduff, and their Army, with boughs.
As they are close to Dunsinane Castle, Malcolm tells the men, “your leavy screens throw down.”
While their forces were sheltering in Birnam Wood, the leaders had ordered them to cut tree branches wear them as camouflage while they snuck up on Dunsinane.
Later, Macduff turns out to be the man who was not “born,” in that he was “untimely ripp’d” from the womb, or delivered by Caesarian section. He also proves not just dangerous but lethal, as he ultimately kills Macbeth in a one-on-one swordfight and then cuts off his head.
How were the witches' prophecies in Macbeth act 5 fulfilled?
The Weird Sisters first show Macbeth an "armed head" that tells him, "Beware the Thane of Fife!" (4.1.82). This warning comes to fruition when Macduff, the Thane of Fife, plans to dethrone Macbeth with the help of Malcolm, Duncan's older son and heir. When Macduff hears that Macbeth has had his wife and children murdered, however, he vows revenge. Then, in act 5, scene 8, Macduff does kill and behead Macbeth. Thus, we understand why the apparition looked like a disembodied head: it presaged Macbeth's fate.
Next, the Weird Sisters show Macbeth a "bloody child" who tells him:
Laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth. (4.1.90-92).
The appearance of this apparition gives us a clue as to how its words will come to fruition. A child born naturally is not particularly bloody; the mother has to be cut in order for there to be a significant amount of blood. Therefore, it makes sense when Macduff tells Macbeth that he was "from his mother's womb / Untimely ripped" (5.8.19-20). In other words, Macduff was born via C-section and did not have a natural "birth," so to speak. Macduff, then, was not "of woman born" (in a very technical way of speaking) and can, in fact, harm Macbeth.
The third apparition is a "child crowned, with a tree in his hand." It tells Macbeth that he will "never [be] vanquished [...] until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him" (4.1.105-107). This apparition's words come to fruition when, as a strategy to shield his army's numbers, Malcolm tells his troops, "Let every soldier hew him down a bough / And bear 't before him" (5.4.6-7). In this way, it looks as though Birnam Wood is actually moving toward Macbeth's castle.
How are the witches' three prophecies revealed in Act 5 of Macbeth?
In act 1, scene 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, three witches give Macbeth three statements. The first, "Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!"(1.3.50), is simply a greeting. Macbeth inherited the title of Thane of Glamis from his father, who was killed about fifteen years earlier. Macbeth learns about the second statement, "Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!" (1.3.41–52), from Ross and Angus only after the witches leave the scene: Macbeth had been made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan.
The third statement, a prophecy, is that Macbeth "shalt be King hereafter!" (1.3.53), which comes true after Macbeth murders King Duncan between act 2, scene 1 and act 2, scene 2 and assumes the throne.
Much the same thing happens in act 4, scene 1, when the witches conjure up apparitions which seem to make prophecies to Macbeth. The first of these, made by the First Apparition, "Beware Macduff; / Beware the Thane of Fife" (4.1.79–80), is simply a warning that cautions Macbeth about something he already knows.
MACBETH. Thou hast harp'd my fear aright. (4.1.82)
The second and third of the apparitions' pronouncements are also warnings in the form of cryptic, equivocal, paradoxical, and essentially misleading prophecies. Whereas "Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis," "Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor," and "thou shalt be King hereafter!" are expressed in act 1, scene 3 in a straightforward, positive way, the prophecies and act 4, scene 1 are expressed ambiguously in a negative way.
SECOND APPARITION: Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth. (4.1.87–89)
"None of woman born" is clearly equivocal, and it's clearly meant to mislead Macbeth. The Second Apparition plays on Macbeth's sense of invincibility based on his fulfillment of the prophecy that he "shalt be King hereafter!" (1.3.53). There's nothing in that earlier prophecy to suggest any impermanence in Macbeth's situation or that he will be deposed or killed. Macbeth believes that he's fated to be king and that Fate will protect him and sustain him as king.
Also, the apparition says that "none of woman borne shall harm Macbeth," rather than "one not of woman borne shall harm Macbeth." The prophecy is based on a technicality that Macbeth fails to grasp at the time he hears it. The apparition makes a subtle, equivocal distinction—a distinction known only to the apparition and subsequently exploited by Macduff in act 5—that Macduff "was from his mother's womb / Untimely ripp'd" (5.8.19–20). In other words, Macduff was born by Caesarean delivery. The apparition doesn't exactly lie to Macbeth, but it doesn't exactly tell Macbeth the truth, either; and the apparition lets Macbeth believe what Macbeth wants to believe.
THIRD APPARITION. Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until
Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill
Shall come against him. (4.1.104–106)
The Third Apparition equivocates and plays on Macbeth's sense of invincibility in the same way that the Second Apparition does. The Third Apparition says, "Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until / Great Birnam Wood..." comes against him, rather than "Macbeth shall vanquish’d be..." when Birnam Wood comes against him.
Macbeth hears what he wants to hear, and what he wants to hear is that he's invincible. "Then live, Macduff. / What need I fear of thee?" (4.1.92), Macbeth says, and "Who can impress the forest, bid the tree/ Unfix his earth-bound root?" (4.1.107–108). Macduff, being born of a woman—or so Macbeth believes—can't hurt him, and Birnam Wood is never going to walk up the hill to Dunsinane Castle.
In act 5, however, Birnam Wood does come to Dunsinane Castle, in the form of Malcolm's soldiers marching up the hill to the castle carrying branches from the trees in Birnam Wood, and Macbeth is killed by Macduff, who is, technically, "not of woman born."
There is one other prophecy made to Macbeth in act 4, scene 1 which isn't spoken to Macbeth but which is shown to him. Macbeth demands to know, "shall Banquo's issue ever / Reign in this kingdom?" (4.1.114–115). The witches show Macbeth a parade of eight kings, all of whom look like Banquo, Macbeth's friend and comrade-in-arms who Macbeth ordered to be killed earlier in the play.
The kings are followed by Banquo himself, who is holding a looking glass that shows many more kings representing Banquo's line of descendants extending into infinity. This line of Banquo's descendants includes a representation of King James VI, the patron of Shakespeare's acting troupe, who believed himself descended from Banquo and for whom Shakespeare likely wrote Macbeth.
King James VI's belief in his ancestry notwithstanding, Duncan's son, Malcolm, not Banquo's son, Fleance, becomes King when Macduff kills Macbeth in act 5, scene 7.
How are the witches' three prophecies revealed in Act 5 of Macbeth?
The Weird Sisters (also referred to as witches) make their final appearance in Macbeth in Act IV, Scene 1. In this scene, the Weird Sisters show Macbeth three apparitions that predict his future. The first apparition warns Macbeth to be afraid of Macduff. The second apparition tells Macbeth not to fear any man born of a woman because they cannot harm him. The third apparition says that Macbeth should not worry until Birnam Wood marches to fight him at Dunsinane Hill. These apparitions provide Macbeth with a false sense of security, and he becomes overconfident in his ability to defend his kingship.
In Act V, the predictions of all three apparitions come true. Malcolm's army disguises themselves using branches from Birnam forest. As they approach Macbeth's stronghold, it appears like the Birnam Wood is marching towards Dunsinane Hill. Macduff then confronts Macbeth and mentions that he was "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb, which means he had a Cesarean birth. Macduff then kills Macbeth in a sword fight, meaning the third prediction comes true, too.
Clarification of the phrase "not of woman born" in Macbeth
4 Educator Answers
Summary:
The phrase "not of woman born" in Macbeth refers to someone who was not born through natural childbirth. In the play, it specifically applies to Macduff, who reveals that he was delivered by a Caesarean section, thus fulfilling the witches' prophecy that Macbeth would be defeated by someone "not of woman born."
In Macbeth, what does "not of woman born" mean?
"Not of woman born" means born by Caesarean section.
Hecate, the head of the witches, gets angry at the three witches who prophesied to Macbeth in act 1. She is angry that they acted without permission, but she also thinks it is wrong to try to do any kindnesses for men. She says this is never appreciated or repaid. She wants the witches, in the future, to mislead Macbeth.
Therefore, when Macbeth, having no one left to turn to, asks the witches about the outcome of his battle with Macduff, they deliberately mislead him with false assurances. Macbeth takes heart from their utterance that no man born of a woman can kill him, as he interprets this to mean he will survive the battle.
The witches are playing with words. Of course, Macduff comes from a female womb. However, rather than being pushed down the birth canal, Macduff is, for some reason, delivered by C-section.
Macbeth finds out too late he has been deceived. Macduff will kill him. However, as Macbeth reveals in a late soliloquy, he is tired of life, which has disappointed him, so in a sense he is not sorry to die. He has also been a tyrant, more concerned about keeping power than helping his people, so his death offers Scotland a new beginning.
In Macbeth, what does "not of woman born" mean?
In act 4, scene 1, Macbeth meets with the Three Witches to question them further about their prophecies in hopes of learning more about his future. However, the Three Witches offer Macbeth several enigmatic prophecies, which make him overconfident and lead to his downfall. The second apparition that the Three Witches summon is a bloody child, who tells Macbeth,
"Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth." (4.1.81-83)
Macbeth misinterprets this prophecy to mean that no man will ever be capable of harming him since every man is born from a woman. However, the second prophecy does not include men who were born by Caesarean sections. In the Middle Ages, Caesarean sections were considered rare and unnatural, which is why Macbeth overlooks this exception.
Later on in the play, Macbeth comes face to face with Macduff during the final battle. In act 5, scene 8, Macduff tells Macbeth,
"Despair thy charm, And let the angel whom thou still hast served Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb Untimely ripped." (5.8.13-16)
Essentially, Macduff discloses the fact that his mother birthed him by Caesarean section, which means that he was not "born from a woman" as the prophecy stated. Macduff then kills Macbeth and Malcolm becomes the King of Scotland.
In Macbeth, what does "not of woman born" mean?
You are of course refering to the prophecies that the witches give Macbeth in Act IV scene 1 when he returns once again to their lair, demanding to know the truth of his fate. The prophecies he receives are typically obfuscated and unclear so that Macbeth is left to draw his own conclusions and is unsure of their precise meaning. Note the prophecy that the Second Apparition gives him in this scene:
Be bloody, bold and resolute: laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth.
Ironically, the apparition goads Macbeth on into ever-further acts of violence with the false hope that nobody who is born of woman can harm him. Macbeth himself interprets this by thinking that he is invincible, as he says he has no need to fear Macduff. Of course it is only in Act V scene 8 that Macbeth learns the truth. As he tells Macduff that he is invincible because nobody who was borne of woman can kill him, Macduff replies revealing the true meaning of teh apparitions words:
Despair thy charm;
And let the Angel, whom thou still hast serv'd,
Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb
Untimely ripped.
Therefore the prophecy refers to someone who was born by cesarian, where the mother's stomach is cut open and the baby is pulled through that way, rather than borne in the normal method. Macbeth's misinterpretation of this prophecy leads to his over-confidence and his doom.
Who in Macbeth was not "born of woman" and why?
In Act 4, scene 1, Macbeth returns to the witches to consult them about his future. It is at a time when he has become paranoid about his security and wishes to hear their assurances. The witches call up different apparitions and the second apparition informs him:
"Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth."
This statement emboldens Macbeth and he says:
"Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?"
It is ironic that Macbeth refers specifically to Macduff here, since he discovers to his utter dismay later, that Macduff was not "of woman born".
When the two confront each other on the battlefield in Act 5, scene 8, Macbeth warns Macduff:
"Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests;
I bear a charmed life, which must not yield,
To one of woman born."
Macduff replies:
"Despair thy charm;
And let the angel whom thou still hast served
Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb
Untimely ripp'd.
Macduff informs Macbeth that he had not been naturally born, i.e. he did not pass through the birth canal but was prematurely removed (ripped) from his mother's womb - so it could not be said that he was 'born' in the true sense of the word. It was an unusual and unnatural act. It could be that Macduff's mother was incapable of bearing her son by natural means which compelled the surgeons of the time to perform, what we call nowadays, a Caesarean Section.
Macbeth is shocked and dismayed by this information and realizes that he had been fooled by the witches. They had deliberately misled him - an example of the equivocal and paradoxical nature of their predictions. He declares:
"Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,
For it hath cow'd my better part of man!
And be these juggling fiends no more believed,
That palter with us in a double sense;
That keep the word of promise to our ear,
And break it to our hope. I'll not fight with thee."
When Macbeth refuses to fight, Macduff commands him to surrender but Macbeth prefers not to. They fight and Macbeth is killed.
The significance of starting "Macbeth" with the witches
6 Educator Answers
Summary:
Starting "Macbeth" with the witches is significant because it immediately sets a tone of supernatural intrigue and foreboding. The witches symbolize chaos and dark ambition, foreshadowing the moral corruption and tragic downfall that will ensue. This opening scene establishes the theme of fate versus free will, as the witches' prophecies play a crucial role in Macbeth's actions and the play's unfolding events.
Why does Macbeth begin with the witches' short scene?
First, beginning the play with the Weird Sisters sets a really creepy and menacing mood, heightening audience interest by showing them something otherworldly and unnerving. Second, their speech actually initiates one of the most important motifs in the entire play: the idea that appearance can be, and are often in fact, deceiving. The Weird Sisters chant, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair; / Hover through the fog and filthy air." (1.1.12-13) This alerts the audience to the idea that the witches are going to make fair things seem foul (or good things seem bad) and foul things seem fair (or bad things seem like good). This prepares us for their upcoming scene with Macbeth and Banquo, in which they present both men with information that seems good, but, in actuality, it turns out to be foul for both of them.
Why does Macbeth begin with the witches' short scene?
Shakespeare begins Macbeth with a very intriguing scene involving the three Witches. This scene immediately draws in the viewer, as the Witches speak in confusing words accompanied by lightning and thunder. Shakespeare's job as a playwright was to immediately set an interesting scene and plot that would compel the audience to stay for the rest of the drama, and so he brought in the three Witches with their electrifying words and presence.
In addition, Shakespeare's patron, King James I, was very interested in witchcraft, so Shakespeare's first scene was designed to appeal to his patron. The use of witchcraft and the supernatural were likely of great interest to many members of the public as well, as Macbeth was written during a time when many people believed in witches and their power.
Finally, the scene sets up the importance of the supernatural in the play and conveys the idea that what is to come is not natural. After all, the drama involves regicide, or the killing of the king, and Shakespeare had to convey to his audience that killing the king was neither natural nor right.
Why does Shakespeare begin "Macbeth" with the witches? Why doesn't Macbeth appear first?
In addition to foreshadowing, the witches' opening scene generates conflict, suspense, and tension. The viewer (or reader) is left wondering what will happen next as a result, and how things will pan out with the witches in question.
By starting this play with a point of contention, Shakespeare engages his audience from the get-go, and keeps them rapt until the play's closing scene.
If Shakespeare had started this play with the typical introduction of the protagonist, it certainly would not have been as unique or interesting. Too many plays of the period began with that exact idea: "Here's the hero, here's what happens to him. The end." Shakespeare avoids that pitfall by using the witches as his starting point.
Why is it important that Macbeth begins with the witches?
The witches set up the motif of "fair is foul, foul is fair" in the play and set Macbeth up with their predictions "all hail thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor, and king hereafter." The supernatural element of the witches sets up the ambiguous tone as to why Macbeth proceeds in the manner of attaining the kingship. He is given the title Thane of Cawdor, and assumes the kingship will follow. Would he have been king without murdering Duncan? We will never know as he and Lady Macbeth take matters into their own hands, preferring to control the situation themselves and commit multiple murders to attain and keep the crown.
Why is it important that Macbeth begins with the witches?
Opening the play with the darkness, thunder, and three witches stirring a cauldron produces a dramatic effect that would certainly have intrigued the superstitious Elizabethan audience. Moreover, since they were already interested in the supernatural, the Elizabethan audience would have responded to the motif of the waking world of reality being intermingled with the unnatural world as Macbeth falls under the spells of the witches. His later paranoid hallucinations--seeing daggers, the ghost of Banquo--and his and Lady Macbeth's insomnia are all effects of this blurring of reality and mystic.
Another result of opening with the scene of the witches is the introduction of the theme of moral choices vs. evil, a theme intrinsic to the play. For, it is because of the evil seductions of the predictions of the witches that he begins his course of evil: "If chance will have me King,why,/chance may crown me,/Without my stir" 9I,iii,144-146).
Why is it important that Macbeth begins with the witches?
Dramatically, the play's opening with the witches is important for at least two reasons. The first is a practical one: Shakespeare has to get the attention of the groundlings, those attending the performance who are standing in the pit around the stage. These people paid the cheapest price for their tickets, so they stood for the entire performance. Before the play begins, people are milling about, talking, and some are selling food. The playwright must grab their attention to quiet this group so that everyone in the theater can hear the actors. The Elizabethans believed in the existence of witches; these in this play are particularly ugly witches so their appearance on the stage would definitely grab the audience's attention.
Secondly, the witches' comment, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," sets up one of the most important themes of the play: appearances can be deceptive. The witches, furthermore, are evil; they would appear via the trap door in the floor of the stage, indicating their origin in the Underworld and their collaboration with the devil. King James had written a book about witches, too, so there was intense interest in them. The appearance of the three witches would be riveting to the audience, and their remarks in the opening scene prepare the audience for the deception that will appear throughout the play.
Why does Malcolm describe his restoration as "new planting" in Macbeth?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
Malcolm describes his restoration as "new planting" to symbolize the renewal and hope for Scotland following Macbeth's tyranny. This imagery reflects a fresh start, where Malcolm, as the rightful heir, aims to sow peace and justice. Shakespeare consistently uses agricultural metaphors to convey growth and prosperity, as seen earlier with King Duncan's nurturing words to Macbeth and Banquo. Malcolm's use of "new planting" echoes his father's teachings and signifies a hopeful future for the nation.
It is an appropriate choice of words in the context of Malcolm's speech which closes the play. Malcolm says that he will do all that needs to be done in Scotland:
What's more to do,
Which would be planted newly with the time
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We will perform in measure, time, and place.
Macbeth, who had murdered the rightful king to gain the crown and inflicted all manner of suffering on Scotland and its people, has been defeated in battle and decapitated, his head displayed in contempt by Macduff. Malcolm, as Duncan's rightful heir, has regained the throne. It is a new day in Scotland, and Malcolm will plant the seeds that will produce peace and justice in the country; those who had been forced to leave Scotland to avoid Macbeth's tyranny will be called home, and those who supported Macbeth and his "fiendlike queen" will be punished.
In Macbeth, why does Malcolm describe restoring Scotland as a new planting?
Throughout the entire play, Shakespeare uses plant or agricultural imagery to develop characterization and plot. If you remember, King Duncan tells Macbeth, when he first sees him after the victorious battle, that he has
begun to plant [Macbeth] and will labor
To make [him] full of growing (I. iv. 28-29)
And when Duncan promises to do the same for Banquo, Banquo's responses is full of agricultural imagery, for he states that
There if I grow,
The harvest is your own (I. iv. 31-32).
This agricultural imagery reveals just what kind of character Duncan is; it reveals that he is a humble and generous king, and it certainly reveals that Banquo is a most loyal servant. All this occurs while Malcolm is listening.
So, when Malcolm uses the analogy of the restoration of Scotland as a new planting, we not only see the teachings of his father, but we see the new beginning for Scotland, for like a newly planted crop, Malcolm has hopes for a bountiful harvest.
In Macbeth, how is the natural, moral order and social hierarchy restored?
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
In Macbeth, the natural, moral order and social hierarchy are restored when Macbeth is killed by Macduff and Malcolm ascends to the throne. Macbeth's murder of King Duncan disrupted the natural order, causing chaos. Malcolm, the rightful heir, brings balance back to Scotland by taking his place as king, thus purging the evil and reestablishing order.
From the time Macbeth kills the rightful king and usurps the throne, nature is thrown out of order. There are numerous reports of unnatural actions in nature itself after the murder. Since Duncan was the "Lord's annointed" and Duncan has been murdered things will not be normal until the murderer is brought to justice.
Since Duncan had named his successor before he was murdered, order will be restored when Malcolm is crowned king.
Curiously, the supernatural plays a great role in all this. First the weird sisters declare Macbeth will be king. Lady Macbeth calls up the dark powers to unsex her and fill her with evil. Both of the Macbeths go to the dark side.
Since Macbeth tries to interfer with the predictions by killing Banqueo, Hacate herself gets involved. The predictions that he believes keep him safe are a double edged sword. The forest does indeed move and MacDuff was not "born" of woman but was from his mother's womb untimely ripped.
It is only fitting that it is MacDuff rather than Malcolm who kills Macbeth since Macbeth killed his entire family. Order is restored and nature has been balanced.
An orderly succession and order were extremely important to the Elizabethean world. The War of the Roses was a recent memory and the entire country had been ripped apart on the question of succession.
Banquo's lineage and its impact on the succession of the throne
1 Educator Answer
Summary:
Banquo's lineage is significant because his descendants are prophesied to inherit the throne, impacting the succession in Macbeth. Although Macbeth becomes king through treachery, the witches’ prophecy suggests that Banquo's heirs will eventually rule, highlighting the theme of fate and the inevitability of rightful succession. This lineage is a source of anxiety for Macbeth, driving his further descent into tyranny and paranoia.
How do Banquo's children become king after Macbeth's death?
Banquo is Macbeth's closest friend and fellow thane. He, in a way, represents wisdom, morality and rational thought. Unfortunately, he doesn't live long, but we will get to that later.
After Macbeth and Banquo leave the scene of battle and head towards their king's encampment, they meet the three witches in the woods. They declare a prophecy for Macbeth that he will be given a new title and soon be king. Indeed, these both come true.
Banquo's prophecies are less clear. The final one is as follows:
Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.(70)
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
The implication is that Banquo will be the father of a line of kings, but not be a king himself. As a result, Macbeth's reign will be short, without any of his future children ruling at all. Macbeth decides to kill Banquo, and his son, in the hopes of changing the prophecy. While he succeeds in killing Banquo, he does not succeed in killing Banquo's son, Fleance.
We can assume that Fleance will grow older and return to Scotland. Because Macbeth is beheaded at the end of the play, Malcolm rises to the throne. At this point, nobody knows exactly how Fleance, or any of Fleance's children, will become king. However, the prophecies have all come true so far, we can imagine they would continue to do so.
Qualities that make Duncan and Macbeth fit for the role of a king in Macbeth
5 Educator Answers
Summary:
Duncan's qualities as a king include his fairness, kindness, and ability to inspire loyalty among his subjects. Macbeth, on the other hand, is initially brave and ambitious, demonstrating strong leadership and military prowess. However, his moral corruption and tyrannical behavior ultimately undermine his suitability as a king.
What makes Duncan a good king and leader in Macbeth?
First, King Duncan values honor and bravery and seeks to reward those who display those qualities. In act 1, scene 2, when a captain returns from battle to tell Duncan of the various ways some men have proven their loyalty to him, Duncan replies,
So well thy words become thee as thy wounds;
They smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons. (I.ii.45-46)
Duncan cares for his subjects and values the captain's honor. Unfortunately in this scene, the captain has also told him of Macbeth's valiant efforts, and supporting Macbeth will not prove fruitful for Duncan.
Duncan is also a humble leader. When Macbeth tells him of the death of the Thane of Cawdor, Duncan replies,
There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face.
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust. (I.iv.13-16)
In these lines, King Duncan admits that he is as human as any other man and cannot interpret the intentions of all those around him (another line which shows verbal irony).
Most notably, Macbeth himself doesn't really want to go through with the murder because he recognizes that Duncan is a good leader for several reasons:
Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off; (I.vii.16-20)
Macbeth acknowledges that Duncan is humble, honorable, honest, and never tangled in deceptive matters. He says that angels would cry out against murdering such an honorable man. Of course, Lady Macbeth finds a way to convince Macbeth to put his own selfish quest (and, more importantly, her own) above the honorable leadership of Duncan.
It is worth noting here that these very qualities also lead to Duncan's ultimate downfall. He is so trusting, honorable, and humble that he cannot see the deception staring him right in the face and promotes the very man who will end his life in an effort to steal his crown.
What makes Duncan a good king and leader in Macbeth?
Many productions, such as the one staring Judy Densch as Lady Macbeth, depict Duncan as very old and venerable, carried on stage in Act 1, in part to make it a more egregious crime when the Macbeths kill him. We do see his kindness in 2.2 when he visits the Macbeth castle in Inverness, for Banquo tells Macbeth that “the king’s abed” (suggesting, perhaps, he is worn out from his journey) and that he has given Lady Macbeth “this diamond…by the name of most kind hostess” (13-15). Lady Macbeth says, to explain why she didn’t kill him, “Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t” again giving reason to consider him a kind, generous old man (12-13).
What makes Duncan a good king and leader in Macbeth?
Duncan is not seen much in the play, due to his being murdered early in the action. However, we do get a chance to see a strong-willed leader, able to put down a rebellion and to punish a traitorous thane, as well as a king concerned with his men and willing to share the fruits of the victory. As you'll see in the link below, his one character flaw appears to be his lack of good judgment concerning the true character of Macbeth.
What qualities of a good king do Macbeth and Duncan exemplify in Macbeth?
Duncan is a good king in that he rewarded loyalty. Macbeth was a good king because he was decisive. However, each king also had bad qualities.
Duncan was a good king because he gave Macbeth a promotion to recognize his bravery and loyalty on the battlefield. He even feels bad when he does not honor him sooner.
O worthiest cousin!
The sin of my ingratitude even now
Was heavy on me. (Act 1, Scene 4, p. 17)
However, Duncan should have been more aware of what was going on. Macbeth later had spies to make sure everyone was loyal to him. Duncan could have used spies, or at least better guards. He was totally taken by surprise. He thought Macbeth would be thrilled at his promotion, and he did not see the betrayal coming.
Macbeth is described as a bloody tyrant, so he was far from an exemplary king. He did do some things well, however. He had a banquet for his supporters. He acted decisively when threatened.
To be thus is nothing,
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd. ’ (Act 3, Scene 1, p. 42)
Of course, Macbeth takes it a little too far and is soon sending murderers to kill anyone he suspects is not faithful. You can’t run a kingdom that way. Macbeth gets the reputation of being a bloody tyrant, and Malcolm and Macduff come to unseat him.
What qualities of a good king do Macbeth and Duncan exemplify in Macbeth?
Before he claims the throne through dishonest means, Macbeth is presented as a fine leader of men. He is brave on the battlefield, seemingly not fearing death. He possess great physical prowess, nearly cutting an enemy in half ("from the knave to the chops"). Macbeth is also loyal to his superiors, seemingly causing no trouble.
All of this disappears when he becomes ambitious and murders Duncan. His good leadership qualities evaporate as he becomes paranoid and desperate to keep the power he stole at any cost. In this way, Shakespeare seems to be suggesting that Macbeth was a fine leader only when he was honest. Before that, he had nothing to fear save dying in battle, which would have been seen as a glorious way to go when one lived the life of a warrior. However, he has much more to lose as a dishonest king, and this makes him less courageous and noble as a person.
The impact of Duncan's sons fleeing on Macbeth
2 Educator Answers
Summary:
Duncan's sons fleeing impacts Macbeth by making it easier for him to seize the throne. With Malcolm and Donalbain gone, suspicion falls on them for their father's murder, allowing Macbeth to consolidate power without immediate challenge from the rightful heirs.
In Macbeth, why do Duncan's sons flee and how does this benefit Macbeth?
Following their father's assassination, Malcolm and Donalbain flee from Scotland because they fear for their lives. In act 3, scene 2, the siblings learn about their father's death and become suspicious that the murderer is still alive and undiscovered. After Macbeth admits to killing Duncan's chamberlains out of anger, Donaldbain suggests to his brother that they leave the castle immediately. Donaldbain tells Malcolm,
"What should be spoken here, where our fate, Hid in an auger-hole, may rush and seize us? Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed." (3.2.102-104)
After everyone exits the scene, Malcolm tells Donaldbain that any of the
lords could be pretending to be sad and upset, which is why he is leaving for
England. Donaldbain agrees that they will be safer in other countries and tells
his brother that he will be traveling to Ireland. Both siblings then leave
Scotland to ensure their safety.
While Malcolm and Donaldbain save their lives by fleeing the country, they
simultaneously incriminate themselves by doing so. Many of the Scottish lords
believe Duncan's sons participated in their father's assassination, which
explains why they fled the country. Being that Macbeth is a high-ranking thane
and Duncan's cousin, he becomes Duncan's successor and is given the title King
of Scotland.
How does Duncan's sons fleeing benefit Macbeth?
There is a big question about the murder of King Duncan. What good would it do Macbeth to murder him when his son Malcolm was his obvious successor. Did Macbeth plan to murder all three--Duncan, Malcolm, and Donalbain--on the same night. Shakespeare did not seem to be planning very far ahead when he was writing the gripping scenes leading up to the murder of the King. It would appear that Shakespeare was counting on his own powers of invention to help him out.
Shakespeare seems to have given Macbeth a few cryptic lines to suggest that he does have plans to do something about Malcolm and Donalbain but doesn't want to think about them at the moment. These lines are contained in the following dialogue in Act 1, Scene 4:
DUNCAN:
Sons, kinsmen, thanes,
And you whose places are the nearest, know
We will establish our estate upon
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter
The Prince of Cumberland;MACBETH:
[Aside.] The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires:
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
Macbeth knows Malcolm would succeed his father, and, for that matter, Donalbain would succeed Malcolm if anything happened to his older brother. The lines Macbeth speaks to himself in an aside are intended to suggest that Macbeth must be planning to murder Duncan and his two sons that same night. He will never have another such opportunity. But Shakespeare evidently did not want to tell the audience what Macbeth was planning, simply because Shakespeare didn't know himself! He had enough to worry about with the murder of the King.
Shakespeare was a very busy man. He was not just a writer but a director, producer, casting director, manager, part owner of the theater, and even an actor. He probably had to work on his scripts when he could find the time and could not plan them out fully in advance. If he painted himself into a corner, so to speak, he had to rely on his genius to paint an escape exit on the wall to get him out. In other words, he probably didn't know how he was going to deal with Malcolm and Donalbain but was relying on his muse to help him--and she did!
When Macbeth has a meeting with Banquo in Act 2, Scene 1, he seems to be sounding Banquo out about joining him in his plot. Macbeth would like very much to have some help in dispatching three victims on the same night. But Banquo makes it clear that he is completely loyal to Duncan. Then when Macbeth finally kills Duncan, it would appear that he could not go ahead with murdering Malcolm and Donalbain (if that was what he planned) for a variety of reasons.
- He lost his nerve. He was so horrified by what he had done to Duncan that he began hallucinating. When his wife tells him to take the two daggers back to Duncan's chamber and smear the grooms' faces with blood, he says: "I'll go no more. / I am afraid to think what I have done; / Look on't again I dare not." He is in no condition to commit two more murders.
- Macbeth thinks he has heard a voice crying "Sleep no more!" loud enough to wake up the entire house. This is probably his imagination, but it is just as effective in preventing him from prowling around the corridors as if it were real.
- Then begins that ominous knocking at the gate which becomes louder and more insistent. It will wake up everybody in the castle, including, no doubt, Malcolm and Donalbain.
- It is noteworthy that Macbeth asks his wife, "Hark! Who lies i' th' second chamber?" She tells him Donalbain. He isn't even sure where to find the two boys.
So after the body is discovered, Shakespeare has Malcolm and Donalbain decide to flee for their lives. He didn't want to show Macbeth killing two young boys because he wanted to preserve some modicum of audience sympathy for his hero--and he knew he would lose it if he showed Macbeth killing two innocent boys in their beds. This expedient seems to have been a last-minute inspiration of Shakespeare's. It works perfectly because he can blame Duncan's murder on his sons. The idea is that they hired Duncan's two grooms to kill their father. They are not there to defend themselves, and Macbeth has killed the grooms to keep them from giving any testimony. No doubt many people, including Banquo, suspect Macbeth of being responsible for Duncan's death. But Macbeth manages to get elected Duncan's successor, and after that he doesn't care what people think--and they all know they had better not say what they are thinking anyway.
The theme and significance of kingship in Macbeth
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
The theme of kingship in Macbeth is significant as it explores the qualities of a good versus a tyrannical ruler. Through characters like Duncan and Macbeth, Shakespeare contrasts legitimate, benevolent leadership with destructive ambition and tyranny, highlighting the moral and political consequences of usurping power and the chaos that ensues when the natural order is disrupted.
What is the theme of kingship in Macbeth?
When writing on the theme of kingship, you might want to think about what the play suggests makes a good king. Does a king need to be the rightful heir to the throne to be a good king, or are personal qualities more important? Perhaps both being the rightful heir to the throne and having good qualities such as leadership and honesty are important.
To answer this question, you might start by examining the differences between Macbeth, who becomes king after murdering Duncan, and Banquo, whose heirs rightfully assume the throne after Macbeth's death. When both Macbeth and Banquo hear the witches' prophecy, Macbeth immediately becomes intrigued by the witches' words and becomes overly ambitious to become even higher than the Thane of Cawdor, a title that Duncan, the king, has already granted him.
However, Banquo is indifferent to the witches, who promise he will be the ancestor of kings. Banquo says in Act I, scene 3, "But ’tis strange. /And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, /The instruments of darkness tell us truths." In other words, he fears the witches are instruments of the devil, and he advises Macbeth not to listen to them. In contrast, right after Macbeth hears the witches' prophecy, he starts to dream of killing Duncan and says in Act I, scene 4, "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." In other words, unlike Banquo, Macbeth has allowed his ambitions to cloud his judgment and make him desirous of evil. The play suggests that the rightful kings--such as Duncan and Banquo's heirs--not only have the hereditary right to claim the throne but are also ethical and righteous people, unlike Macbeth, who neither has the right nor the integrity to be king.
What is the theme of kingship in Macbeth?
Loads of places to look here. One of the most impressive places to quote from I would argue would be one of the least-appreciated scenes in the play: Act 4, Scene 3. This starts off being a debate between Malcolm (playing devil's advocate) and Macduff about what makes a good king.
Malcolm gives a useful list (in the same scene) of the kingly virtues:
The king-becoming graces,
verity, temperance, stableness,
perseverance, mercy, lowliness,
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude...
The two key questions to ask, I'd reckon, would be whether these virtues are embodied by Duncan and by Macbeth - and then justify that answer in the text. Duncan, even Macbeth (his murderer!) admits, is a kindly and excellent king. Macbeth, of course, doesn't get such good reports. Take a close look at the banquet scene or the scene in which Macbeth invites Banquo to the banquet: and analyse what sort of a king Macbeth has become. Is he, as the final lines of the play have it, simply a "butcher"?
When you've looked at the kings within the play, it'd also be good to look at the king it was written for. James I was fascinated by witches and demonologie (he even wrote his own book about it!) and was Scottish - a fair demonstration, most critics think, that the play was written for him. How might the play work as a play played out in front of a king?
What is the significance of kingship in Macbeth?
Kingship, as Malcolm tells Macduff in act 4, scene 3, entails the possession of a number of very important qualities. Malcolm lists these qualities as justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, and fortitude.
One senses that Malcolm didn't just make up these qualities on the spot; he's drawing upon a wider cultural understanding of what makes for a good king. And it's precisely because Macbeth so clearly doesn't possess any of these exalted qualities that Malcolm, Macduff, and other nobles of the Scottish court have escaped to England, where they are now devising a plan to overthrow the tyrant king.
Kingship is important because Scotland is a monarchy. The king is firmly in charge of the country, and therefore it's all the more important to have someone on the throne who can rule wisely. Duncan was certainly a wise ruler, and the Scottish people loved him for it. But Macbeth, who murdered Duncan, is almost the antithesis of his predecessor. He embodies none of the qualities that Malcolm thinks makes for a good king.
As the kingdom of Scotland isn't a democracy, when the king shows himself incapable of ruling wisely, there's no alternative but for his subjects to rise up in rebellion and force him from the throne. And that's precisely what happens here. But such rebellion comes at the cost of instability, which makes it all the more urgent that the people of Scotland have a wise king on the throne once more. Only then will the nation be able to enjoy some measure of stability again.
The significance of Duncan naming Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
The significance of Duncan naming Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland is that it designates Malcolm as the heir to the Scottish throne. This act creates a direct obstacle for Macbeth, who harbors ambitions to become king, thereby intensifying his resolve to remove any impediments to his ascension.
What is the significance of Duncan naming Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland in Act 1, Scene 4?
The significance lies in the fact that Malcolm is now the heir to the throne, something that wasn't told to Macbeth, nor was he told when he would become king. So, Malcolm is now a new obstacle for Macbeth, which is significant, but it is also significant in that it reveals Macbeth's ruthless ambition, for he is not thwarted by it; instead, he asks the "Stars, to hide [their] fires" so that noone will know of his "black and deep desires." It appears that Macbeth has become more determined to go through with assasinating Duncan, despite Malcolm becoming the Prince of Cumberland. It appears that Macbeth is not thinking clearly revealing just how blind he has become by his "vaulting ambition."
What is the significance of Duncan naming Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland in Act 1, Scene 4?
Duncan's naming Malcolm Prince of Cumberland in Act 1:4 of Shakespeare's Macbeth is significant because it means if Macbeth is ever going to be king as the witches predict, it will take more than natural means for him to be so. It practically ensures that Macbeth will have to eliminate Duncan to snatch the thrown.
Macbeth realizes this immediately:
The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires,
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
Macbeth knows that Malcolm being officially named Duncan's heir is an obstacle that he must get by or stumble on, and he knows this means killing Duncan. He metaphorically asks to be hidden as he does so, and to do what the eye will be afraid to see once it is done.
Of course, because Malcolm is by the time of the assassination the heir to the throne, Macbeth would have had to kill him, too. But Donaldbain and Malcolm are wise enough to flee after their father is killed (Act 2.3). Malcolm lives to raise an army and return to Scotland to claim is rightful thrown.
What is the significance of naming Malcolm as "The Prince of Cumberland" in Macbeth?
As was mentioned in the previous post, King Duncan makes this comment in Act One, Scene Four, in which he names Malcolm heir to his throne. This is significant because the Three Witches had told Macbeth that he would become king one day. Macbeth now realizes that in order for him to become king, he will need to get rid of Malcolm. Macbeth's ambition is spurred as he comes to terms with what he will have to do in order to become king. After Malcolm is named prince, Macbeth says to himself,
The prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires (1.4.50-53).
Macbeth is essentially saying that Malcolm is in his way, but he is willing to take the necessary steps to reach his desired position as king. As the play develops, Macbeth commits regicide, but Malcolm is able to flee the country. Macbeth becomes haunted and preoccupied with the possibility that Malcolm might return back to Scotland to take the crown from his head. Malcolm eventually ends up gaining enough support to overthrow Macbeth as king by the end of the play.
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