Whither should i fly macbeth

The boy then asks if all traitors have to be hung. His mother says yes, they must be. Finally, the boy asks who hangs the traitors, and his mother answers that the honest men do that. Now comes the punch line of the joke.

The boy says, "Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enow [enough] to beat the honest men and hang up them" 4. This joke probably gives Lady Macduff a little smile, because she calls her son a "monkey" and urges him on by asking him again what he will do for a father. The boy replies with another joke, saying "If he were dead, you'ld weep for him: if you would not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father" 4.

He knows that she's been joking because if she were the sort of woman who could hear of her husband's death without crying, she would be the sort of woman who would quickly get another husband, so the boy would quickly have a new father.

Under the surface -- though not very far under the surface -- this joke means that Macduff is alive and that Lady Macduff dearly loves him. Still, this gallows-humor reflects the very real danger to mother and son.

Enter Messenger: Once we see the love that Lady Macduff and her son have for each other, in comes a messenger with the news that they are about to die. The messenger himself is in a panic. He tells Lady Macduff that she doesn't know who he is, but he knows who she is, and he thinks that she and her children are in great danger.

He apologizes for frightening her, saying, "To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage" 4. With this, the messenger runs out of courage and runs out of the room, saying, "Heaven preserve you! Now Lady Macduff realizes her absolute helplessness. She says, "Whither should I fly? She's already at home; if she's not safe there, she's not safe anywhere.

And do not know ourselves ; when we hold rumor. From what we fear, yet know not what we fear;. But float upon a wild and violent sea. Each way and move. I take my leave of you. Shall not be long but I'll be here again. Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward. To what they were before. Blessing upon you. Fathered he is, and yet he's fatherless.

It would be my disgrace and your discomfort. I take my leave at once. Sirrah, your father's dead. And what will you do now? How will you live? As birds do, mother. What, with worms and flies? With what I get, I mean; and so do they.

Poor bird, thou'ldst never fear the net, nor lime ,. The pitfall , nor the gin. Why should I, mother — poor birds they are not set for. My father is not dead, for all your saying. Yes, he is dead. How wilt thou do for a father? Nay, how will you do for a husband? Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.

Then you'll buy 'em to sell again. But 65 how wilt thou do for a father? If you would not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father. Lady Macduff then has a funny bit of banter with her young son about how his father is dead. He doesn't believe her, and they go on to discuss whether or not she should buy a new husband at the market as well as what happens to traitors. The kid is pretty witty. He suggests that there are enough bad men in the world to beat up the good men and hang them, so really, the traitors shouldn't be too concerned about their fates.

Then he adds that he knows his dad isn't dead. If he were, Lady Macduff would be crying. I am not to you known, Though in your state of honor I am perfect.

I doubt some danger does approach you nearly. Hence with your little ones! Heaven preserve you! I dare abide no longer. Messenger exits. Lady Macduff is entertained by her son's cheekiness, but the conversation comes to an abrupt end when a messenger enters advising her to flee with her children.

I have done no harm. Life's but a walking shadow. Unknown Phrases. Ending of Act V, Scene 8. The Roman Fool. Untimely ripped? A Callous Siward? A Happy Ending? Macbeth's Severed Head! Malcolm's speech synopsis. Throughout the scene, as well as in the first line of Lady Macduff's soliloquy, Lady Macduff uses metaphors which she compares. Vocab Act I, scene 5 Sitara "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't. I think not of them, Is this a dagger which I see before me, Sent forth great largess to your offices.

Throughout the scene, as well as in the first line of Lady Macduff's soliloquy, Lady Macduff uses metaphors which she compares herself to a small and defenseless bird and her children to its chicks.