
EVIDENCE: “his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking-off”. EXPLANATION: Macbeth prefigures the spirit of Duncan to be associated with heaven , and his own actions (‘taking him off’) representative of the Devil, suggesting the unnaturalness of the action and the evil of Macbeth’s character.
Why does Shakespeare compare King Duncan's virtues to Angels in Macbeth?
He says that if it were sure that King Duncan's death would have no dire consequences, Macbeth would gladly "jump" (cross) the river (Styx) for the "life to come" (hell) in return for mortal pleasure. Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued." By comparing King Duncan's virtues to "angels," Shakespeare implies that Macbeth has no virtues at all.
What does Macbeth say about the death of King Duncan?
He says that if it were sure that King Duncan's death would have no dire consequences, Macbeth would gladly "jump" (cross) the river (Styx) for the "life to come" (hell) in return for mortal pleasure. Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued."
How does Macbeth feel about the moral implications of his actions?
He is compelled by ambition and Lady Macbeth ’s influence to carry out the “bloody instructions,” but he fears moral implications. In these lines, he fears the retribution he might face if he is caught: To our own lips. Then Macbeth indicates that Duncan is trusting. Macbeth and Duncan are cousins (kinsman). Macbeth is his host and loyal subject.
What does Lady Macbeth say about what has been done?
And later, once the deed is ‘done’ against Duncan (whose name, like the castle of Dunsinane, happily hides a homophone for the word), Lady Macbeth tells him ‘what’s done is done’ and, alter, ‘What’s done cannot be undone’.

What does Macbeth mean by his virtues Will plead like angels?
his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet tongud. simile & alliteration stress how good of a leader duncan was - "plead" illustrates that duncan is trusting and virtuous.
Who says his virtues Will plead like angels in Macbeth?
How does the 1.7 Soliloquy deepen the audience's understanding of Macbeth's conflicted state of mind? EVIDENCE: “his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking-off”.
What is Macbeth saying will happen to those who commit violent deeds?
To our own lips. But 'here' in this world, Macbeth says, there is 'judgment' too (such as the law, which punishes murder). If we 'teach' others how to commit bloody deeds, he continues, these others may commit such acts upon us, who taught them in the first place.
Will plead like angels trumpet tongued against?
He's a virtuous, innocent exemplary king, and therefore his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking off.
What is Macbeth a metaphor for?
Macbeth uses a metaphor to explain that his guilty conscience is attacking and stinging him. Macbeth uses a simile to say that he would rather deal with wild animals than Banquo's ghost which he has just seen. One of the Witches' apparitions uses a simple metaphor to advise Macbeth about being brave.
What is the most famous speech from Macbeth?
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow"Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" is the beginning of the second sentence of one of the most famous soliloquies in William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth.
What do Macbeth's final words tell us about his character?
Up until this point he has been moving between despair and a false sense of security and over confidence; but in his last words he is utterly overwhelmed by what has happened. However, he tries to uphold some dignity - he does not surrender. This shows the brave side of his character.
What does Macbeth say before he kills Duncan?
Macbeth declares that he no longer intends to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth, outraged, calls him a coward and questions his manhood: “When you durst do it,” she says, “then you were a man” (1.7. 49). He asks her what will happen if they fail; she promises that as long as they are bold, they will be successful.
What does Malcolm say each soldier should do?
What does Malcolm say each soldier should do? Malcom says that each soldier should take a branch of a tree and use it as a shield to hide their presence and Suprise Macbeth with their large number.
What are Lady Macbeth quotes?
Lady Macbeth quotes“Come you spirits, That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.” ... “And when goes hence?” ... “Look like th'innocent flower, But be the serpent under't” ... “What beast was't then, That made you break this enterprise to me?” ... “Tis the eye of childhood, That fears a painted devil.” ... “What's to be done?”More items...
What does Hecate want from the witches?
Why does Hecate want the witches to meet Macbeth? Hecate wants the witches to meet Macbeth as she is planning for them to cast the spell on Macbeth that she has prepared. This spell would give Macbeth illusions and make him feel invincible thus being over-confident and leading to his downfall.
What did Macduff discover?
What did Macduff discover? Macduff discovered Duncan's body. Macduff says, "Oh, gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition, in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell." What is ironic about this?
What does Macbeth say about Duncan?
Macbeth begins his soliloquy by saying that if the act of killing Duncan would truly be the end of it, and there would be no consequences, it is better to get it over and done with as quickly as possible (Shakespeare provides us with perhaps the very first use of the word ‘assassination’ in these lines, by the way).
What does Macbeth mean by "his surcease"?
When Macbeth says ‘his surcease’, he is probably referring to Duncan’s (‘his’) death (‘surcease’: a legal term meaning to stop something , but used elsewhere in Shakespeare with the suggestion of a euphemism for ‘death’). We’d jump the life to come.
Why does Macbeth justify every deed he commits after the first one?
Every deed Macbeth commits after the first one is justified by Macbeth’s desire to make his position ‘safely thus’ , as he puts it in his soliloquy in III.1. He justifies having Banquo murdered and attempting to kill Fleance because Banquo, too, has been given a prophecy from the Three Witches, and seeing Macbeth’s prophecy comes true, he knows his friend will do his best to ensure Fleance and his descendants end up on the throne. As Macbeth puts it in III.2, ‘Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.’
What would happen if Macbeth murdered Duncan?
Duncan is such a humble and virtuous king, that if Macbeth were to murder him, heaven itself would cry out against the crime.
Why does Macbeth throw away his king?
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragic heroes, not least because he represents the Man Who Has It All (seemingly) and yet throws it away because of his ‘vaulting ambition’ to have Even More: to be king. A brave and effective soldier who is rewarded by the King, Duncan, for quelling a rebellion against his king, Macbeth decides to kill this same king, while Duncan is a guest under Macbeth’s own roof, just so Macbeth can seize the crown for himself.
Why shouldn't Macbeth kill Duncan?
But then there’s the added reason that Duncan is a guest at Macbeth’s castle, and so Macbeth should be providing protection against harm rather than harming Duncan himself. (Note here that Macbeth actually ends up offering three reasons why he shouldn’t kill Duncan, rather than the ‘double’ reason he initially mentioned: Duncan is family; Duncan is his king; and Duncan is a guest in his home.)
What is the key word in Macbeth?
A key word in Macbeth as a whole is ‘done’. The word comes at us three times in the first two lines here, and elsewhere, numerous characters, including Macbeth himself, use it liberally. When Duncan had first arrived at Macbeth’s castle, Lady Macbeth had greeted him: In every point twice done and then done double.
What does Duncan Hath say about his virtues?
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; And pity, like a naked newborn babe, Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed [.] (1.7.16–22)
Why did Pilate wash his hands?
This is a biblical allusion to Pontius Pilate publicly washing his hands to absolve himself of any guilt for Christ’s crucifixion.
What does the bat hath flown his cloistered flight mean?
Ere the bat hath flown His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons [.] (3.2.42–43) This is an allusion to Hecate, the Greek goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, necromancy, and the night and moon.
Who was the most disloyal traitor in Bellona?
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor, The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict, Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof, Confronted him with self-comparisons [.] (1.2.52–55)
What is the term 3 of Macbeth?
English Assignment – Term 3 Representations of ambition within Macbeth Within Macbeth, there are numerous representations of human values and conflicts, including duty vs. desire, the effects of a guilty ]
What is ambition in Macbeth?
What is ambition? Ambition is described as eager for success, power or fame. For Macbeth. Ambition was what drove him to become great, it forced him to change his nature ]
What is the bloodiest Shakespeare play?
Macbeth is by far the bloodiest of William Shakespeare’s plays. It begins with a civil war battle between the Scottish and Norwegian army, where Macbeth embodies his heroic and courageous ]
How does Shakespeare reveal a high level of remorse in both plays?
Shakespeare reveals a high level of remorse in both plays by raising the emotional turmoil sensed by Macbeth and Othello. The climax of this repentance highlights the mindset of distress ]
What makes a king a great king?
To be regarded as a great king involves many important factors such as being honorable, gracious, and fair. It is far more difficult to regard a king as being great ]
What does Malcolm mean when he compares Macbeth to a fallen angel?
Malcolm compares Macbeth to a fallen angel, thus implying that he is Lucifer himself.
What does Macbeth compare his soul to?
In this metaphor, Macbeth compares his soul to an almost-empty wine bag. Indeed, his heinous crime later renders him almost devoid of human emotion and compassion.
What is the meaning of the phrase "Macbeth"?
This phrase is a metaphor that describes the state of affairs within Macbeth and without in Scotland. Evil and sinister things have taken the place of all that is good and just. Macbeth is a tyrannous ruler who consorts with witches and "murders" sleep; the kind and venerable King Duncan and Banquo are brutally killed.
What did Macbeth say about Banquo?
Macbeth laments that although the witches prophesized that he would become king, they also said that Banquo's posterity would possess the throne as well. His jealousy from this statement induces him to kill Banquo and attempt to kill Fleance.
Why is the metaphor of Macbeth ironic?
This metaphor, which likens Macbeth to "valor's minion," is ironic because whereas in this case his daring is advantageous, it is a curse later in the play as Macbeth relentlessly murders innocent subjects. "And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths.".
What does Shakespeare mean by the comparison of witches to instruments of darkness?
The comparison of the witches to "instruments of darkness" reveals their truly foul nature. Shakespeare is implying through Banquo that the honeyed prophecies of the weird sisters will only bring about Macbeth's downfall. In addition, since Macbeth listens to the witches, he can be considered an "instrument of darkness" himself.
What is the parallel between Macduff and Macbeth?
Macduff draws a parallel between Scotland and a beast of burden. Like an abused animal, Scotland is on the verge of collapsing underneath its tyrannous master (Macbeth).
