Final answer:
Malcolm's metaphor "let’s make us medicines of our great revenge, to cure this deadly grief", suggests that revenge can act as a healing balm for Macduff's sorrow (a). Throughout 'Macbeth', Shakespeare often uses metaphors to illustrate the psychological consequences of the characters' actions, and this metaphor aligns with the play's themes of justice and guilt.option a is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the lines "let’s make us medicines of our great revenge, to cure this deadly grief," Malcolm is speaking to Macduff, who has just received the news of the brutal murder of his family. This metaphor compares their plan for revenge against Macbeth to a medicine, suggesting that taking action and avenging the deaths can act as a cure for Macduff's overwhelming sorrow and grief. Thus, the effect of the metaphor is to convey that taking revenge on Macbeth will serve as an emotional balm to Macduff, alleviating the pain he feels due to this tragedy.
The correct answer to the question is (a) It suggests that killing Macbeth will relieve Macduff’s terrible pain. This metaphor implies that revenge will act therapeutically, helping Macduff to overcome his devastating loss. By calling revenge a 'medicine,' Malcolm tries to comfort Macduff, suggesting a way forward out of his despair. This metaphor contrasts sharply with the sense of inevitable justice and the futility of trying to escape the consequences of one's actions, which is a recurring theme in Macbeth.
In other instances throughout the play, Shakespeare uses similar metaphors to highlight the emotional and psychological states of the characters. For example, after murdering Duncan, Macbeth is unable to 'murder sleep,' which signifies his guilt and the disturbance of his peace of mind. Likewise, Lady Macbeth's comments about the daggers and her later sleepwalking reveal the grave impact of their actions on her psyche, haunting her to the point of madness. The 'medicines of our great revenge' metaphor thus falls in line with the play’s depiction of action and consequence, as well as the psychological turmoil that envelops those who commit grave sins.