Question

Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Malcolm suggests that they find a shady place to be sad. Macduff disagrees and suggests that they should grab their swords and protect their country. The word dolour means great sadness.

Malcolm. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there
Weep our sad bosoms empty.

Macduff. Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men
Bestride our down-fall’n birthdom; each new morn
New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows
Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds
As if it felt with Scotland and yell’d out
Like syllable of dolour.

What does Macduff mean by the personification "new sorrows / Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds / As if it felt with Scotland and yell’d out / Like syllable of dolour”?

A. He hopes that heaven will cry out in grief when he seeks revenge for his father’s murder just like a human would in response to death.

B. He believes that heaven will sing out in praise just like the citizens will do when Macbeth is removed from power.

C. He feels that he and other citizens will be howling to heaven when they unite to take back their country the way animals howl in the wild.

D. He thinks that mentioning Scotland will convince the heavens to send assistance and help his companions put an end to Macbeth.

Answer 1

Macduff personifies heaven as feeling the sorrow of the Scottish people, emphasizing his determination to protect his country.

Step-by-step explanation:

Macduff means that the new sorrows, or the hardships and tragedies experienced by the people of Scotland, strike heaven as if it feels the pain and resounds with sorrow. Macduff personifies heaven as being affected by the suffering of the Scottish people, emphasizing the deep sadness and grief caused by Macbeth's tyrannical rule. This personification highlights Macduff's determination to protect his country and seek justice for his father's murder.