Skip to main content

Who does Macbeth murder after he murders Duncan?

After he murders Duncan, Macbeth arranges for the murders of Banquo and Fleance, although Fleance escapes. Macbeth is angry that the Weird Sisters told Banquo he would father a line of kings because Macbeth has already defiled his own mind and burdened his conscience with the murder of Duncan, and now feels he must kill Banquo and his son. Macbeth says that he has done all this "To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo...

After he murders Duncan, Macbeth arranges for the murders of Banquo and Fleance, although Fleance escapes. Macbeth is angry that the Weird Sisters told Banquo he would father a line of kings because Macbeth has already defiled his own mind and burdened his conscience with the murder of Duncan, and now feels he must kill Banquo and his son. Macbeth says that he has done all this "To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings," and this is unacceptable to him (III.1.75). Macbeth hires three murderers to accost Banquo and Fleance on the road, and they  murder Banquo there.


After the murder of Fleance, the next people Macbeth murders are the wife, children, and servants of Macduff, the Thane of Fife. Macbeth learns Macduff has fled to England in order to appeal to Duncan's son Malcolm. To punish this disloyal thane, Macbeth says that he will "Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line" (IV.1.171-173). Macbeth vows that, as soon as he conceives of an action, he will perform it. He will no longer weigh his options or coolly consider them, as this delay is what enabled Macduff to escape him.

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