In this excerpt from Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, Macbeth addresses the idea that “We have scorched the snake, not kill’d it” (15). The snake is an image of Duncan, who has only been wounded, not killed yet. Using animalistic and life-after-death imagery, implicit diction, and figurative language, Shakespeare reveals Macbeth’s confused and worried mind, caused by killing Duncan and the repercussions that could come after the killings.
In the beginning of the passage, Macbeth addresses his fear that Malcolm and Donalbain will heal from their father’s death and his malicious act of killing Duncan will cause Malcolm to use his “tooth” (17) to poison Macbeth. Using animalistic imagery, Shakespeare compares Malcolm to an animal …show more content…
Shakespeare conveys, animals are strong, who will fight back and who will regain the power that he lost. Macbeth is afraid of what could come next because he has not completely gotten rid of Duncan. Next, Macbeth conveys “both the / worlds suffer” (18-19) now that Duncan is dead. Macbeth’s family will celebrate because they will become king and queen, like the people in Heaven would celebrate when Heaven gained another angel. Duncan’s family, on Earth, will hurt, going through an emotional loss and having a step down in leadership. Their king is dead and Macbeth is next in line to take the throne which is not what Duncan’s family wants. Then, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth, a mysterious woman, that they “will eat [their] meal in fear” (20) because they could get caught in the killing of Duncan. Shakespeare uses sleep and fear Macbeth talks about his “terrible dreams / That can shake us nightly” (21-22). Macbeth has these terrible dreams that he will get caught and punished for what he did. Furthermore, Macbeth imagines what it would be like if he were “with the dead” (22) because there would be “peace” (23) and there would be no worry about getting in trouble for his actions. He thinks, once you die, you gain peace and have no worries. Macbeth adds his mind is “torture[d]
In the beginning of the passage, Macbeth addresses his fear that Malcolm and Donalbain will heal from their father’s death and his malicious act of killing Duncan will cause Malcolm to use his “tooth” (17) to poison Macbeth. Using animalistic imagery, Shakespeare compares Malcolm to an animal …show more content…
Shakespeare conveys, animals are strong, who will fight back and who will regain the power that he lost. Macbeth is afraid of what could come next because he has not completely gotten rid of Duncan. Next, Macbeth conveys “both the / worlds suffer” (18-19) now that Duncan is dead. Macbeth’s family will celebrate because they will become king and queen, like the people in Heaven would celebrate when Heaven gained another angel. Duncan’s family, on Earth, will hurt, going through an emotional loss and having a step down in leadership. Their king is dead and Macbeth is next in line to take the throne which is not what Duncan’s family wants. Then, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth, a mysterious woman, that they “will eat [their] meal in fear” (20) because they could get caught in the killing of Duncan. Shakespeare uses sleep and fear Macbeth talks about his “terrible dreams / That can shake us nightly” (21-22). Macbeth has these terrible dreams that he will get caught and punished for what he did. Furthermore, Macbeth imagines what it would be like if he were “with the dead” (22) because there would be “peace” (23) and there would be no worry about getting in trouble for his actions. He thinks, once you die, you gain peace and have no worries. Macbeth adds his mind is “torture[d]