Macbeth

Question 1

O full of scorpions is my
mind dear wife–

Answer 1

This is an ugly, grotesque (bizarre) image –one of infestation and corruption. Scorpions are repulsive creatures, a reflection of the degraded state of Macbeths mind. Scorpions are
dangerous adversaries, full of poison. Macbeth cannot challenge his thoughts –he must succumb to them. Scorpions, when trapped or in danger, have a tendency to self destruct –perhaps
foreshadowing Macbeth’s self destructive thoughts. Indicating his hamartia is not just due to external influence but his inability to escape the ‘scorpions’ of his own ambition. He is plagued by these poisonous thoughts.