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He means that he has been given a crown with essentially no meaning as Banquo's son will be the one to take over the throne, no son of Macbeth will ever continue on the crown

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Q: What does Macbeth mean by upon your head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren scepter in your gripe?
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What is happening in the quote They hailed him father to a line of kings Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren scepter in my grip in Macbeth?

Macbeth is talking about the witches' prophecy to Banquo "Thou shalt get kings thou thou be none". From this Macbeth infers (although the witches did not actually say so) that his children would not be kings. Macbeth translates "thou shalt get kings" into Banquo being the father to "a line of kings". Well, the witches only said "kings"--they didn't say it was more than two. Then he imagines that none of his children would be kings with a couple of synechdoches: he describes the crown as fruitless (without children) and the sceptre as barren (incapable of having children) when it is the king, himself, which he imagines as fruitless and barren. I cannot hear the phrase "a fruitless crown" without imagining Carmen Miranda. Sorry if I have now put this image in your head.


Who was with Macbeth when he met the witches?

In Act 4 Scene 1, he left the royal palace at Forres, to meet the witches. Many editions of the play say that the witches were in a cavern. However, this does not come from the original text of the play in the First Folio, and it is unlikely that it was portrayed that way in any early performances of the play. Their cauldron would have been brought up on the trap door, rather than being in the concealment space, thus enabling their quick departure. In this case, Macbeth sought the witches out; this is when he goes to meet the witches. In Act 1 Scene 2, Macbeth had met the three witches by accident on his part, by design on theirs, and they meet on a "blasted heath" according to Macbeth's line. The witches knew that Macbeth would be crossing the heath. They placed themselves on collision course with Macbeth and his friend and fellow General Banquo.


What did Macbeth mean by he's here in double trust?

Macbeth says "He's here in double trust" in Shakespeare's Macbeth. He is considering the possibility of assassinating his king, Duncan, so that he can ascend to the throne. He means that Duncan has two reasons to trust Macbeth: 1: He is "his kinsman and his subject," so he would naturally be repulsed by the idea of killing Duncan; 2: Macbeth is hosting the king in his home; Duncan would assume that Macbeth would be sheltering him because of this, so he would not suspect his host to be the murderer. The use of the word "trust" in this line is very good. When Shakespeare could just say "Duncan wouldn't suspect me for two reasons," he concisely presents the idea of a very natural trust that Duncan has in Macbeth, a trust which Macbeth is about to betray.


How does Macbeth get the two murders to undertake Banquo's killing?

Macbeth turns them against Banquo by reminding them that they have been placed inferior in position by Banquo and that they should not let him get a way with it. Second he tells them that Banquo is a threat to himself as king and therefore should be rid of.


What is the differences between lady macduff and lady Macbeth?

In the play, Lady Macbeth is more aggressive, insightful, and reactive than Lady Macduff. Lady Macbeth looks at a situation and a person and analyzes their strengths and their weaknesses. Then she comes up with a winning strategy. Readers and viewers see this in Act 1 Scene 5. The Lady sees the possibility of crowns for her and her husband, identifies the kind streak that her husband has and that she lacks, and goes straight for the jugular in calling up the evil spirits to bring her ambitions to success. In contrast, in Act 4 Scene 3, Lady Macduff shows herself more passive, naive and reflective. She gets caught up in her husband's flight, in terms of how that impacts on her personally. She doesn't seem to know her husband wel, because she sees his departure as a personal betrayal. And yet the entire kingdom is falling to pieces around them all! She doesn't think of the consequences to the safety of her or her household. In fact, she doesn't pay attention to the messenger's warning of imminent danger.

Related questions

What is happening in the quote They hailed him father to a line of kings Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren scepter in my grip in Macbeth?

Macbeth is talking about the witches' prophecy to Banquo "Thou shalt get kings thou thou be none". From this Macbeth infers (although the witches did not actually say so) that his children would not be kings. Macbeth translates "thou shalt get kings" into Banquo being the father to "a line of kings". Well, the witches only said "kings"--they didn't say it was more than two. Then he imagines that none of his children would be kings with a couple of synechdoches: he describes the crown as fruitless (without children) and the sceptre as barren (incapable of having children) when it is the king, himself, which he imagines as fruitless and barren. I cannot hear the phrase "a fruitless crown" without imagining Carmen Miranda. Sorry if I have now put this image in your head.


What about Banquo makes Macbeth uncomfortable?

Macbeth is uncomfortable around Banquo because Banquo poses a threat to his power. Banquo knows about the prophecy that Macbeth will become king and that his descendants will inherit the throne. Macbeth also feels guilty for betraying Banquo by ordering his murder.


How did Macbeth kill king Duncan?

Macbeth killed King Duncan by stabbing him while he was asleep in his chambers. He then placed the blame on the king's guards, who were found with blood on their hands and the murder weapon. This act allowed Macbeth to seize the throne and become king.


What are the characteristics of Duncan throughout Macbeth?

Duncan is portrayed as a wise and just king in Shakespeare's "Macbeth." He values loyalty and rewards those who are faithful to him. Duncan's trusting nature ultimately leads to his untimely death at the hands of Macbeth, who seeks to usurp the throne.


Who was with Macbeth when he met the witches?

In Act 4 Scene 1, he left the royal palace at Forres, to meet the witches. Many editions of the play say that the witches were in a cavern. However, this does not come from the original text of the play in the First Folio, and it is unlikely that it was portrayed that way in any early performances of the play. Their cauldron would have been brought up on the trap door, rather than being in the concealment space, thus enabling their quick departure. In this case, Macbeth sought the witches out; this is when he goes to meet the witches. In Act 1 Scene 2, Macbeth had met the three witches by accident on his part, by design on theirs, and they meet on a "blasted heath" according to Macbeth's line. The witches knew that Macbeth would be crossing the heath. They placed themselves on collision course with Macbeth and his friend and fellow General Banquo.


Why is the topic of lady macbeths womanliness raised again?

The topic of Lady Macbeth's womanliness is raised again to highlight her struggle with societal expectations and gender roles. By questioning her womanliness, the play examines the traditional feminine virtues and expectations placed upon women, and Lady Macbeth's deviation from them in her ruthless pursuit of power. This theme adds complexity to her character and underscores the societal pressures faced by women in Shakespearean times.


What did Macbeth mean by he's here in double trust?

Macbeth says "He's here in double trust" in Shakespeare's Macbeth. He is considering the possibility of assassinating his king, Duncan, so that he can ascend to the throne. He means that Duncan has two reasons to trust Macbeth: 1: He is "his kinsman and his subject," so he would naturally be repulsed by the idea of killing Duncan; 2: Macbeth is hosting the king in his home; Duncan would assume that Macbeth would be sheltering him because of this, so he would not suspect his host to be the murderer. The use of the word "trust" in this line is very good. When Shakespeare could just say "Duncan wouldn't suspect me for two reasons," he concisely presents the idea of a very natural trust that Duncan has in Macbeth, a trust which Macbeth is about to betray.


Is placed an irregular verb?

No, Present- place Past- Placed Participle- placed


What is a past participle of place?

Place is a regular verb so the PP is placed. place / placed / placed He has placed his cards on the table.


What is past participle of place?

Place is a regular verb so the PP is placed. place / placed / placed He has placed his cards on the table.


What is the past participle of Placed?

Placed is the past participle of the present participle placing.


What was the coffin in which the wood coffin was placed placed?

stone coffin in which wood coffin was placed