Great literature is replete with metaphors and
similes which, by making unsual comparisons between ideas and things, enable readers
understandings of life.
In Scene 2 of Act IV, when the
murderers enter, they are insulted by Macduff's son, and one stabs the boys saying,
"Young fry of treachery," a metaphor for the boy's being the son of a man who is a
traitor. In the following scene, Macduff's first words contain two similes [comparisons
of unlike things using the words as or
like]:
readability="21">
Let us rather
Hold
fast the mortal sword, and like good
men
Bestride our down-fall'n
birthdom.
Each new morn New widows howl, new orphans cry,
new sorrows
Strike heaven on the face, that it
resounds
As if it felt with Scotland and yelled
out
Like a syllable of dolor.
(IV,iii,3-9)
Then,
in line 22 of this scene, Malcolm says,
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Though all things foul would wear
the brows of
grace,
Yet grace must still
look so. (IV,iii,22)
This
line means that his thoughts cannot change what a person is; things may look good, but
be filthy; nevertheless, good must still resemble them when they are disguised. "The
brows of grace" is the appearance of seeming good.
Later in
the scene, Malcolm uses a simile as he says,
black
Macbeth
Will seem as pure as
snow, and the poor state
Esteem him
as a lamb, being compared
With
my confineless harms. (IV,iii, 59-61)
Further in this
scene, Malcom employs a metaphor as he says, "Pour the sweet milk of
concord into hell" as he states that he would cause discord in the world,
destroying peace.
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