Sunday, December 14, 2014

In Macbeth, what does "O’erleap" mean?This is a word I have see often in Shakespearean writing. I sort of get the gist of what it means, but can...

In Macbeth Act II, Macbeth's aside
shows that he is jealous of Malcolm and wants to "O'erleap" him in status.  Macbeth
wants to be next in line to be King, not fourth.   Macbeth
says:


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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.



This
is the contraction of two words: "over" and "leap."
To fit his syllable
count, Shakespeares shortens and fuses words.  So, "O'erleap" simply means
"to leap over. "


Macbeth knows that he
can't become King with Malcolm (and Donalbain) in the way.  Therefore, he will kill
Duncan and blame his sons, specifically the newly crowned Prince of Cumberland, Malcolm.
 In this way he can lead over both princes to take the crown.

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