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" (1.4.23-25), 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.