Minor Characters Flashcards
“Valour’s minion”
The Captain describes Macbeth as being very brave and almost like a servant to his country because of his loyalty and bravery on the battlefield.
“On Tuesday last, a falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk’d at and kill’d.”
Said by an old man. Shows that unnatural things happen when you disturb the natural order of things. Duncan being murdered symbolises the falcon- a higher being killed by a lower one.
“How did you dare to trade and traffic with Macbeth in riddles and affairs of death”
Hecate is annoyed that the witches have interfered with Macbeth without her permission and that their actions had major consequences that can’t be undone.
“Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes savagely slaughter’d”
Ross informs Macduff that Macbeth had his whole family murdered while Macduff was in England with Malcolm, plotting to overthrow Macbeth. “Savagely slaughtered” shows that Macbeth no longer feels guilt or regret about murder.
“Had I as many sons as I have hairs I would not wish them a fairer death”
Siward speaks these lines at the end of the play when he learns that his son has been killed in battle. Even though he is grief-stricken, he is proud that his son died a brave and honorable death. The line shows how important honor and valor are to characters in the play, and also how important it was for Macbeth to be defeated.
