Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 4 (King's Palace)
what does Macbeth, (in his aside, lines 48-50) state and contemplate
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rebeca f #757745
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jill d #170087
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jill d #170087
My line numbers do not match up with those you've provided, but I believe you are referring to the text below.
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. In this aside, Macbeth is contemplating Malcolm's title and subsequent inheritance. Malcolm has been named the Prince of Cumberland, and as such, he is next in line to become king. In order for Macbeth to be king, he will need to get rid of Malcolm..... he will need to kill him him. His only other choice would be to walk away...... to forget the prophecy. Walking away, however, doesn't seem to be an option that Macbeth will be content with. Thus, he contemplates the unthinkable...... something even he is horrified to think about...... knowing, he will do whatever it takes to sit on the throne.Source(s)
Macbeth
