Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3 of The Tragedy of
Macbeth. Malcolm suggests that they find a shady place
to be sad. Macduff disagrees and suggests that they
should grab their swords and protect their country. The
word dolour means great sadness.
Malcolm. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and
there
Weep our sad bosoms empty.
Macduff. 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 yell'd out
Like syllable of dolour.
What does Macduff mean by the personification "new
sorrows / Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds / As
if it felt with Scotland and yell'd out / Like syllable of
dolour"?
O He hopes that heaven will cry out in grief when he
seeks revenge for his father's murder just like a
human would in response to death.
O He believes that heaven will sing out in praise just like
the citizens will do when Macbeth is removed from
power.
O He feels that he and other citizens will be howling to
heaven when they unite to take back their country the
way animals howl in the wild.
O He thinks that mentioning Scotland will convince the
heavens to send assistance and help his companions
put an end to Macbeth.
