LRJ 5: Death

“Now does he feel/ his secret murderers sticking on his hands;” (5.2, 17). The word murderer is paired with sticking because they both have similar connotations. Murder has an obvious negative connotation, but sticking is less obvious, it is more subtle and it adds to the strength of the bad connotations. “Death of thy soul! Those linen cheeks of thine” (5.3, 16). This sounds awful, the body did not just die but the soul perished as well. This shows that true evil is at work. “I will not be afraid of death and bane/ till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane” (5.3, 61-62). This shows how Macbeth is unafraid of death because he has been told certain things. The fact that he is able to not be scared even a little by the thought shows his stupidity, because he thinks it isn’t inevitable. “And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/ the way to dusty death” (5.5, 22-23). This shows how the past guides foolish people to “dusty death”. The adjective dusty makes death seem very unpleasant. “Give them all breath,/ those clamorous harbingers of blood and death!” (5.6, 9-10). Having blood coupled with death makes it more powerful because it links them, in order to get death blood will most likely be shed and they both have strong negative connotations and together they are very clear. “Show thy face!/ If thou be’st slain,” (5.7, 16). Again slain is used to described those about to be killed because here Macbeth is giving a warning that he will kill them violently if they don’t show their face. “But like a man he died. Then he is dead?” (5.8, 43). This passage shows how death is inevitable even to those who may think they have conquered it. “ Had I as many sons as I have hairs/ I would not wish them to a fairer death” (5.8, 49). This quote shows how even though Macbeth was their enemy they were still glad her was able to die in a noble way that would be fit for any of their sons. “Of this dead butcher and his fiendlike queen—“ (5.8, 70). Macbeth is referred to as the dead butcher, and this really gives the reader an idea of what Macbeth was. He killed many people in brutal ways but now he is dead.