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whose howl’s his watch thus with his stealthy pace ?

### Blog Post: Macbeth’s Haunting Soliloquy and the Metaphor of Murder

In William Shakespeare’s tragedy *Macbeth*, the protagonist’s descent into darkness is depicted through evocative language and potent imagery that mirrors his psychological turmoil. The soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 1, particularly the line “whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace,” is pivotal in illustrating Macbeth’s internal conflict and intention to commit regicide. This blog post delves into the layers of meaning contained in Macbeth’s words, analyzing his motivations, the stark imagery of murder, and the symbolism that propels the narrative forward.

**The Allusion to Tarquin**

Macbeth’s soliloquy draws heavily from Roman classical literature, specifically the story of Tarquin the Proud, a notorious tyrant from ancient Rome. Tarquin’s tale is a dramatic and tragic one: he raped Lucrece, the virtuous Roman matron, leading to the overthrow of the Etruscan monarchy and the establishment of the Roman Republic. The metaphor of Tarquin serves as a powerful indictment of Macbeth’s intent:

> “Thus with his stealthy pace,
> With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design
> Moves like a ghost.”

Here, Macbeth likens his approach to Tarquin’s crime. Just as Tarquin’s raping strides are described as “ravishing,” signifying the consummation of an act of violence, Macbeth’s murder is depicted as an erotic act of control and power. The connection to Tarquin not only evokes the image of the brutal, silent crime but also evokes the societal ramifications of his actions.

**The Metaphor of the Wolf Watchman**

In the line “Whose howl’s his watch,” murder is personified as a watchman driven by a lupine howl that alerts it of its impending task. This particular line illustrates Macbeth’s preoccupation with the consequences of his actions and the symbolic “sentinel” of his guilt. The wolf, traditionally symbolizing ferocity and savagery, here becomes the vigilant harbinger of the death that Macbeth aims to bring about. The watchman’s “howl” serves as Macbeth’s conscience, a voice from the past that cannot be ignored.

**The Stealthy Pace: Moral Slip and Guilt**

Macbeth’s stealth underscores his moral wavering. By asking for silence from the earth and its stones (“Hear not my steps”), he reveals his intense fear of being heard, a fear that translates to a fear of his actions being discovered. Yet, this desperation for silence betrays his insecurity and guilt. The earth and its inanimate objects are described as possibly “prat[ing] of my whereabout,” suggesting that nature itself, an impartial witness to his deeds, threatens to expose his treachery.

**Symbolism: Murder as a Haunting Presence**

The metaphor of moving “like a ghost” speaks to the fluidity and invisibility of evil. Ghosts are both feared and not fully materialized, much like the impending act of murder. This allows Macbeth to be both present in his determination and absent in his mindfulness, embodying an inner conflict of knowing what he should do versus what he is truly meant to do.

**Conclusion**

In this soliloquy, Shakespeare employs masterful language and rich imagery to depict Macbeth’s psychological state and impending moral collapse. The reference to Tarquin and the personified murder with the watchman’s howl emphasize the moral cost Macbeth is willing to pay for power. The lines about stealth and moving “like a ghost” underscore his internal struggle between his ambition and his conscience. Macbeth’s path to becoming a tyrant is paved with the allusions and metaphors that Shakespeare so skillfully crafts. This haunting speech encapsulates Macbeth’s tragic transformation, portraying how his guilt and moral decay propel him toward the destructive path he has chosen.

*References:*

– [Interesting Literature](https://interestingliterature.com › 2020 › 05 › macbeth-is-this-a-dagger-soliloquy-summary-analysis)
– [MyShakespeare](https://myshakespeare.com › macbeth › act-2-scene-1-popup-note-index-item-tarquin)
– [Macbeth Dagger](https://macbethdagger.weebly.com › line-explanation-11.html)
– [Shakespeare’s English](https://shakespearesenglish.tumblr.com › post › 15688842055 › stealthy)
– [SparkNotes](https://www.sparknotes.com › shakespeare › macbeth › allusions)
– [Litcharts](https://www.litcharts.com › shakescleare › shakespeare-translations › macbeth › act-2-scene-1)
– [Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org › poems › 56970 › speech-is-this-a-dagger-which-i-see-before-me)
– [Reverso](https://context.reverso.net › traduction › anglais-francais › stealthy+pace.+with)
– [Poemanalysis](https://poemanalysis.com › william-shakespeare › is-this-a-dagger-which-i-see-before-me)

By dissecting lines like “whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace,” we gain deeper insights into the moral complexities of Macbeth’s actions and the psychological toll such acts have. Shakespeare’s genius, as seen in this play and others, continues to echo in literature and stands as a profound commentary on the human psyche.