Question

macbeth
by william shakespeare
act i, scene 7
shakespeare’s play macbeth is one of his most famous tragedies. through his characters of macbeth and lady macbeth, shakespeare explores the psychological effects on those who seek power for power’s sake. in this scene, macbeth has returned to his castle after learning of the prophecy that he will one day be king. but to do so means he must kill the sitting king, duncan. macbeth is facing a difficult decision—to kill for the throne or not.
(haulboys and torches. enter a sewer, and divers servants with dishes and service, and pass over the stage. then enter macbeth)
macbeth’s castle.
macbeth: if it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
it were done quickly: if the assassination
could trammel up the consequence, and catch
with his surcease success; that but this blow
(5) might be the be-all and the end-all here,
but here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
we’d jump the life to come. but in these cases
we still have judgment here; that we but teach
bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
(10) to plague the inventor: this even-handed justice
commends the ingredients of our poison’d chalice
to our own lips. he’s here in double trust;
first, as i am his kinsman and his subject,
strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
(15) who should against his murderer shut the door;

read the excerpt from act i, scene 7 of macbeth
(20) the deep damnation of his taking-off;
and pity, like a naked new-born babe,
striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed
upon the sightless couriers of the air,
shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
(25) that tears shall drown the wind
what does macbeth mean when he states, “shall blow the horrid deed in every eye”?

a. others will witness his murder of duncan
b. everyone will learn of the murder.
c. everyone will be blinded to the truth
d. the murder will create a terrible storm.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the quote and options:

• Option A: The quote isn't about direct witnessing, but about the news spreading. Eliminate A.
• Option B: "Blow the horrid deed in every eye" metaphorically means the news of the murder will spread to everyone (so they "learn of it"). This fits.
• Option C: The quote doesn't relate to blinding people to truth. Eliminate C.
• Option D: The quote uses "blast" metaphorically, not a literal storm. Eliminate D.

Answer:

B. Everyone will learn of the murder