Macbeth

“If you can look into the seeds of time,/And say which grain will grow and which will not.”

While Macbeth hears his prophecy without asking for it, Banquo implores the witches to tell him something of his own future. Using the metaphor of a seed, he asks the witches to look into their visions and tell him how his future will develop. The metaphor is apt, as Banquo’s future will be dependent on his sons. His ancestral tree will branch out beyond the capabilities of a small seed.

“Present fears/Are less than horrible imaginings.”

In an aside to the audience, Macbeth confesses that he is enraptured by the idea of being king but can’t see himself killing Duncan. At this stage, Macbeth is yet to act. He has not entirely decided what he will do. Already, though, his horrible visions of committing the murder has a physical effect on his body and bring even more doubt into his character, no matter how much he dismisses them.

“Yet do I fear thy nature;/It is too full o' the milk of human kindness.”

After receiving the letter from Macbeth, Lady Macbeth ruminates on her ambitions and those of her husband. She fears that he does not have to the stomach to take the throne—his nature contains “the milk of human kindness,” an ironic image since it is Lady Macbeth who should be full of maternal milk.