Month: October 2016

MACBETH
[Aside] The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires:
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be,
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
Exit

Modern:

The Prince of Cumberland! What a step! A step that I must take on, or avoid. A title which lies in my path. Don’t shine light on me, don’t expose my deep, dark thoughts. Let it occur in it’s own time, when it’s done, everyone will see.

In this scene, King Duncan is informed about the execution of Cawdor. He congratulates Macbeth and Banquo for their hard work and involvment in the victory. We are also told that Duncan’s son, Malcolm, will take up his role of King.

In this scenario, the key element is dramatic irony. It’s all about the two characters letting the members of the audience know how they feel about their fate without giving it away to anyone else on stage. This is effective as we can see how Macbeth and Banquo avoid showing their thoughts and emotions to the other characters. Many different techniques are used throughout this scenario which makes it easier for us to identify how Shakespeare keeps the story flowing through the use of language.

Example :  I know I am thane of Glamis;

But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives,
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor.

This quote tells us that Macbeth is confused as to why the witches have given him the title of ‘King’. He makes it clear that he doesn’t feel like he should be anything more than the Thane of Cawdor, therefore leading him to think that the witches are leading him onto the wrong path. At this point, the audience are left to think about whether the witches are leading him on the right or the wrong path.

“As two spent swimmers, that do cling together”

With this phrase, Shakespeare makes a relation between the battle of Macdonwald and King Duncan’s men, to a pair of struggling swimmers. The intent behind this metaphor is to imprint an image of the battle into the minds of the audience. The word “cling” makes both characters sound desperate and helpless, which is slightly ironic as they are in conflict with eachother.

Modern day English : “Just like two physically drained swimmers, who are hanging onto eachother for dear life.”