Macbeth

Name two aspects of poetic structure of Hecate's speech in Act 3, scene 5 that are different from the poetic structure of the rest of the play.

Act 3, scene 5 Hecate's Speech (just in case)

Have I not reason, beldams as you are? Saucy and overbold, how did you dare To trade and traffic with Macbeth In riddles and affairs of death, And I, the mistress of your charms, The close contriver of all harms, Was never called to bear my part, Or show the glory of our art? And, which is worse, all you have done Hath been but for a wayward son, Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do, Loves for his own ends, not for you. But make amends now. Get you gone, And at the pit of Acheron Meet me i' th' morning. Thither he Will come to know his destiny. Your vessels and your spells provide, Your charms and everything beside. I am for the air. This night I’ll spend Unto a dismal and a fatal end. Great business must be wrought ere noon. Upon the corner of the moon There hangs a vap'rous drop profound. I’ll catch it ere it come to ground. And that distilled by magic sleights Shall raise such artificial sprites As by the strength of their illusion Shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear. And you all know, security Is mortals' chiefest enemy.
Asked by
Last updated by Chance M #888186
Answers 2
Add Yours

Hecate's speech is all in iambic pentameter. Many critics feel that Shakespeare would have never made his witch goddess speak in an inferior way to the regular witches in his play. Many critics also feel that this scene does not in any way add to the play. Why would Shakespeare stick inferior filler into his masterpiece? 

The entire speech is written in Iambic Pentameter. As well as the fact that the word at the end of every line rhymes with the next word but in pairs.