Here is the script after King Duncan has been murdered. I only have one question; but the answer might not be as simple as it may seem… Read the script and then answer this question:
Why does Macbeth say “As I descended”?
Tip: there are many reasons/meanings of this line. Explore them, research them if you like…
Descended means to go down something. For example you descend (go down a staircase)… if if a football team descends down the league, they drop down some places. Macbeth may be walking down a staircase or even a hallway at this point in the play; but I think it’s no coincidence that Shakespeare has used this language here. How else has Macbeth descended?
MACBETH: I have done the deed. Didst thou not here a noise?
LADY MACBETH: I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.
Did not you speak?
MACBETH: When?
LADY MACBETH: Now.
MACBETH: As I descended?
LADY MACBETH: Ay.
MACBETH: Hark!
Who lies i’the second chamber?
LADY MACBETH: Donaldbain.
MACBETH: This is a sorry sight.
LADY MACBETH: A foolish thought, to say ‘a sorry sight’.
I think Shakespeare used as I descended because he might of have said to Lady Macbeth how he murdered king Duncan by using the dagger and how it was before him.
No because he’s upset that he killed king Duncan the person who has gave him power.
Mohammed osman…
i think they used the phrase As I descended because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were using it because when he had said i have done it he ,might of heard some one going down the stairs and he might of said As I descended.
i also think he might of said it because when lady Macbeth says now he might of been walking down the stairs and said As I descended.
He may well have heard someone; in fact we know that they did. I also wonder if his morals have descended. Before this, he was a heroic warrior… now he is a selfish murderer. Macbeth certainly went down, ‘descended’ in my opinion… I wonder if that’s what Shakespeare meant.
When Macbeth said as I descended,I think it ment that he is going down of being king than going up to be a great king.
I also think that Macbeth is not happy because he just murdered King Duncan.
I agree! I think that he is torn between emotions (as he spends most of the play being). Killing the king is certainly something that goes against his ‘noble’ reputation as a heroic warrior!
Gosh that is a hard question but one I know the year 5 will really think about. Do you think Macbeth is happy?