Explain the dramatic irony of these lines in Act 4, Scene 3.

-lines 4-8 (Each new morn

New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows

Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds

As if it felt with Scotland and yelled out

Like syllable of dolor.)

-line 14 (He hath not touched you yet.)

-line 180 (No, they were well at peace when I did leave 'em.

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English

Barbara Molina

19 February, 04:58

Explain the dramatic irony of these lines in Act 4, Scene 3.

-lines 4-8 (Each new morn

New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows

Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds

As if it felt with Scotland and yelled out

Like syllable of dolor.)

-line 14 (He hath not touched you yet.)

-line 180 (No, they were well at peace when I did leave 'em.

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Answers (1)

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Marie Stewart · Answer 1

The dramatic irony in these lines is that the audience knows that Macduff's wife and whole family has been murdered by Macbeth's orders, but Macduff feels lucky that his family has "not been touched" yet and "were well at peace" when he left them.