Month: October 2016

Macbeths views are, first that he is interested and wants to know more “would they had stayed”. Once he has learned that he is actually Thane of Cawdor, his interest turns to a belief that this may well be true and that he is going to be king, this leads him to question whether he will have to do something (kill the king) to take the throne or as he became the thane of Cawdor maybe this is something that will just happen “if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir”

Banquo takes the view that this is not something that is important or that should be believed and it is not true what they are hearing, but rather it is the devil seeking to influence them “the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, the betray us in deepest consequence”. 

“As two spent swimmers, that do cling together And choke their art.”

Meaning: The two swimmers are actually representing the armies of Macdonwald and King Duncan. They “cling” to each other, this means that although both armies are fighting against each other they are so tired that they are looking to one another for resting support. “they choke their art” gives us the impression that their “art” is of course battle and the fight, however as they try and cling to each other they spoil that skill of the fight.

Modern Translation:  The two swimmers dead from exhaustion use one another for personal and competitive gain, their work and skill deteriorates and becomes wasted efforts.

“And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling”

  Meaning: Fortune is luck and it is seen as on Macdonwald’s side and is personified with a damned smile.

 Modern Translation: Macdonwald has his advantage, it sits patiently upon his brow with a violent driven smile.