Shakespeare Words
Shakespearean, not stirred.
If Shakespeare wrote it, we've Shmooped it.
Assassination
Invented in 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 | ||
| Might be the be-all and the end-all here, | ||
| But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, | ” |
Yep—it meant then what it means now. It's fitting that Macbeth uses this word when talking about killing the king because assassinate still tends to imply the murder of a high-up person. Sorry, commoners: you don't get a fancy word for someone killing you. |
Tag: Macbeth