Macbeth, Part 4: Figurative Language and Mood Answers

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth is speaking to Banquo’s ghost, who has appeared at a banquet.[Macbeth.] Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,The arm’d rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;Take any shape but that, and my firm nervesShall never tremble: or be alive again,And dare me to the desert with thy sword;If trembling I inhabit then, protest meThe baby of a girl.

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth has learned that Fleance escaped the murderers.[Macbeth.] the worm that’s fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed,No teeth for the present. Get thee gone; to-morrowWe’ll hear ourselves again.

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 5 of The Tragedy of Macbeth.[Hecate.] [To the Witches.] And I, the mistress of your charms,The close contriver of all harms,Was never call’d to bear my part,Or show the glory of our art?

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 2 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. In this scene, Macbeth has sent the murderers after Banquo, his former best friend. Lady Macbeth can tell that something is afoot, but Macbeth refuses to explain except in riddles.[Macbeth.] Come, seeling night,Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,And with thy bloody and invisible handCancel and tear to pieces that great bondWhich keeps me pale!

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. The Macbeths are hosting a banquet, and Lady Macbeth is ashamed by Macbeth’s outburst.[Lady Macbeth.] [To MACBETH.] O! these flaws and starts—Impostors to true fear—would well becomeA woman’s story at a winter’s fire,Authoriz’d by her grandam.

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 5 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Hecate is meeting with the three witches.[Hecate.] [To the Witches.] How did you dareTo trade and traffic with MacbethIn riddles and affairs of death

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth is ranting after seeing Banquo’s ghost in the middle of hosting a banquet.[Macbeth.] Ay, and since too, murders have been perform’dToo terrible for the ear: the times have been,That, when the brains were out, the man would die,And there an end; but now they rise again,With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,And push us from our stools: this is more strangeThan such a murder is.

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth has just learned that Fleance escaped the murderers Macbeth sent.Macbeth. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect;Whole as the marble, founded as the rock

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth is talking to Lady Macbeth after their dinner guests have departed.[Macbeth.] For mine own goodAll causes shall give way: I am in bloodStepp’d in so far, that, should I wade no more,Returning were as tedious as go o’er.Strange things I have in head that will to hand,Which must be acted ere they may be scann’d.

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth is addressing his dinner guests.Macbeth. Here had we now our country’s honour roof’d,Were the grac’d person of our Banquo present;Who may I rather challenge for unkindnessThan pity for mischance!