This is an interesting question, because actually, in the
second meeting that Macbeth has with the witches, they don't really "say" that much.
Rather, in response to his demands for answers, they conjure up a series of apparitions
that seem to taunt and confuse Macbeth even further with false hopes and equivocal
meanings. The lines that they do deliver point towards the double meaning of the visions
that they show Macbeth, and the way that they know their meaning will hurt him. Consider
the following lines, for example:
Show his eyes and grieve his
heart.
Come like shadows; so
depart.
They know that the
visions Macbeth is so insistent on seeing will "grieve his heart," and of course this is
part of their manipulation of him and their use of him for their evil and nefarious
purposes. The First Witch finally taunts Macbeth yet again before the witches disappear
by saying:
Come, sisters, cheer we up his
sprites
And show the best of our
delights.
I'll charm the air to give a
sound
While you perform your antic
round,
That this great king may kindly
say
Our duties did his welcome
pay.
Certainly we should not
be blind to the irony in addressing Macbeth as "this great king." Whilst he certainly is
king, the witches know what Macbeth has done to gain the crown, and are also aware that
his rule will be but temporary. Thus we can say that there is a certain amount of
sarcasm in these lines.
No comments:
Post a Comment