Macbeth Glossary

multiplying villainies of nature (1.2.14)

i.e. the growing forces of evil. The following is a paraphrase of the whole passage:

Shakespeare's Passage

The merciless Macdonwald--
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
The multiplying villanies of nature
Do swarm upon him.

Paraphrase

The merciless Macdonwald --
A villain fit to be called a rebel, and to that end
All the evils found in nature
are attracted to him like flies to meat.

Back to Macbeth (1.2)

How to cite this article:
Mabillard, Amanda. Macbeth Glossary. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2009. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethglossary/macbeth1_1/macbethglos_villainies.html >.

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King Duncan of the Scots awaits news of the battle between his men and the rebels led by the Thane of Cawdor. The King and his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, meet a soldier who is weak and bleeding. He reports that Macbeth and Banquo have performed valiantly in the fight. His admiration of the noble yet brutal Macbeth is deep indeed. Read on...

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