In act1 sc.2, a bleeding sergeant reports to king Duncan and others how Duncan's brave general defeated and killed the 'merciless Macdonwald' of the Western Isles in battle. Macdonwald assisted by the 'kerns and gallowglasses' was fighting with all his 'villainies of nature' until 'brave Macbeth' appeared on the scene like 'Valour's minion'. Disdaining Fortune which so long favoured the rebel, Macbeth made his passage to face Macdonwald, and instantly put him to death by cutting the villain into pieces from ' the nave to the chaps', and then by exhibiting his severed head on the battlements.
The soldier further reports that the Norwegian king with his arms and men started 'a fresh assault', and again Macbeth along with Banquo fought back with exemplary vengeance 'as cannons overcharg'd with double cracks', bathing themselves in the blood of the enemy soldiers.
Ross enters to complete the battle account. He reports that Macbeth--'that Bellona's bridegroom'--clad in armour and proof against sword/spear, confronted the 'most disloyal traitor', the Thane of Cawdor, to earn victory for Scotland.
No comments:
Post a Comment