Period 5
Gilbert Garcia
David Neilsen
Shawn Voon
Mitchell McPartland
In Macbeth, the killing of children becomes a
symbol of ultimate evil. This is shown when
Macbeth orders the murder of children in the
family line for king and when he kills Young
Siward and Macduff’s young son.
Symbolism
Macbeth replies that "Your highness' part / Is to
receive our duties; and our duties / Are to your
throne and state children and servants" (1.4.2325), when King Duncan thanked Macbeth for his
service in battle. This metaphor shows a
widespread idea of the time: Just as a father takes
care of his children, a King takes care of his
people. The people are supposed to act like
obedient children.
When Macbeth is considering what will happen
when he kills Duncan, he says that that "pity, like
a naked new-born babe, / Striding the blast, or
heaven's cherubins, horsed / Upon the sightless
couriers of the air, / Shall blow the horrid deed
in every eye, / That tears shall drown the wind"
(1.7.21-25). This metaphor shows Macbeth’s pity
for Duncan which is shown by the new-born
babe and cherubins which signifies the
innocence of Duncan.
"Dead Children." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
Weller, Phillip. "Macbeth Navigator: Themes: Babies and Children." Macbeth
Navigator: Themes: Babies and Children. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
Wells, Stanley. Shakespeare: A Life in Drama. New York: Norton, 1995. Print.