Skip to main content

How would you explain the following quotation from Macbeth?"My plenteous joys,Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselvesIn drops of sorrow.Sons,...

Duncan, the king, speaks these words after his forces have won the day and secured his throne and Scotland against Norway and traitors at home. Duncan is so pleased with Macbeth's victories that he's given him the title Thane of Cawdor as a reward and had the old thane executed for treason. Therefore, when Duncan says, "My plenteous joys, / Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves / In drops of sorrow," he means that he is...

Duncan, the king, speaks these words after his forces have won the day and secured his throne and Scotland against Norway and traitors at home. Duncan is so pleased with Macbeth's victories that he's given him the title Thane of Cawdor as a reward and had the old thane executed for treason. Therefore, when Duncan says, "My plenteous joys, / Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves / In drops of sorrow," he means that he is so happy, so pleased, that it threatens to make him cry. Next, he speaks to all those loyal nobles who are so close, like family to him, because he wants them to listen to him. He names his older son, Malcolm, the prince of Cumberland; this is the term for the next in line to the throne. Thus, Duncan has made Malcolm his heir. Duncan assures them all that he will honor them as well for their loyalty and bravery. When he speaks to Macbeth, he says that they will now go to Macbeth's home in Inverness, where Macbeth's hospitality toward him will further obligate him to Macbeth in honor.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more