Question

Which lines in this excerpt from act III of Shakespeare’s Macbeth refer to Macbeth’s insecurity because of the threats to his kingship?
LADY MACBETH: Naught's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content: 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy, Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy. (Enter Macbeth.) How now, my lord! why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies your companions making; Using those thoughts which should indeed have died With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard: what's done is done.

MACBETH: We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it; She'll close, and be herself; whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. But let the frame of things disjoint, Both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams That shake us nightly: better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; After life's fitful fever he sleeps well; Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, Can touch him further.

Answer 1

Answer:

We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it; She'll close, and be herself; whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth.

Explanation:

EPIC test answer

Answer 2

The lines in the above excerpt from Act III of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” that refer to Macbeth’s insecurity because of the threats to his kingship are:

“That shake us nightly: better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy.”

In Act III Macbeth shares his feeling of uncomfortable to Lady Macbeth after the murder of king Duncan. He says that though one of the hurdles in his way of attaining the throne has been cleared, still there lies a lot of them in his path. He explains his anxiety and fear that they have invited after murdering Duncan. He now assumes that the death of Duncan has helped Duncan enter the world of peace and by committing the murder Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth had entered the life of threat and fear.