So, "O'erleap" simply means "to leap over. " Macbeth knows that he can't become King with Malcolm (and Donalbain) in the way. Therefore, he will kill Duncan and blame his sons, specifically the newly crowned Prince of Cumberland, Malcolm..
Accordingly, on which I must fall down or else O Erleap for in my way it lies?
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.
Similarly, who says the prince of Cumberland that is a step? Duncan names his son Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland. What do the following lines (48-51) show us about Macbeth's feelings on this matter? "The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step / On which i must fall down or else o'erleap, / For in my way it lies.
Then, what does Macbeth mean when he says he must leap over this new step?
Macbeth means that he must leap over Duncan's son Malcolm to become the next king.
What does he mean by fall down or else O Erleap?
So, "O'erleap" simply means "to leap over. " Macbeth knows that he can't become King with Malcolm (and Donalbain) in the way. Therefore, he will kill Duncan and blame his sons, specifically the newly crowned Prince of Cumberland, Malcolm.
Related Question Answers
What is Banquo's opinion of what has happened?
What is Banquo's opinion of what has happened? Banquo thinks Macbeth has done something wrong/evil to get the throne. What do Banquo and Macbeth discuss? Banquo and his son are going riding and they will be back for the feast.Who said Stars hide your fires?
Macbeth
What are Macbeth's desires?
MacBeth had a desire to exert an influence over his own future and take matters into his own hands. He also had a desire for knowledge - and in particular knowldege about the future and what it held for him. One of his character traits was impatience and he could not wait for events to take their own course.What is done Cannot be undone?
What's done cannot be undone. —To bed, to bed, to bed! To bed, to bed!What is Lady Macbeth's prayer to the spirits?
In the speech you ask about, Lady Macbeth is "praying" to have every ounce of any feminine characteristics eliminated from her mind. She doesn't want any kindness or mercy to stop her from assassinating Duncan.Who says look like the innocent flower?
Lady Macbeth
Why does Lady Macbeth call upon the spirits to unsex her?
Lady Macbeth asks them to do this (or wishes they could) because she wants to help her husband kill Duncan and do the other things that he needs to do in order to become king. Her request is based on the idea that women, by their nature, are unsuited for doing brutal things like that.Is Stars hide your fires a metaphor?
"Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires." (Act 1, Scene 4). Let not light see my black and deep desires. "The "stars" is the use of a metaphor and it means he does not want anyone to find out his deep dark ambitions.Why does Macbeth open with witches?
Why does Shakespeare open the play by showing the witches? Shakespeare shows the witches first to intrigue the audience with the supernatural. It's good not for Macbeth to appear first since the witches were introducing him and kind of explaining what's going to happen to him.Why is Banquo suddenly fearful?
Banquo is very anxious about the prediction of his becoming king because he fears that Macbeth may be pushing the predictions favoring him to reality himself, and if so, he will not want Banquo as king, nor his sons.How does Macbeth react to his new title?
Duncan makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor because Macbeth was brave and courageous against the rebel forces and the Thane of Cawdor was executed for treason. After Macbeth receives his new title, Banquo reacts with concern, he doesn't quite trust the witches and their prophecies.What do you think is Macbeth's tragic flaw?
Macbeth's tragic flaw is his ambition and it consequentially leads to his downfall and ultimate demise. Macbeth is a tragic hero who is introduced in the the play as being well-liked and respected by the general and the people. He brings his death upon himself from this tragic flaw.What are Macbeth's dark and deep desires?
Let not light see my black and deep desires. The most important line in the passage quoted above is: "Let not light see my black and deep desires." Macbeth is saying, in effect, that his plans regarding Malcolm and Donalbain are made but that they will remain completely hidden until he has disposed of their father.Who does Macbeth kill?
In the play "Macbeth", who did Macbeth kill and why? He killed King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff's family, in response to the prophesies of the witches. He killed Duncan to make one of the prophesies come true. Then he killed Banquo and Macduff in a vain attempt to PREVENT other prophesies from coming true.Why did Malcolm and Donalbain flee?
Concerning Shakespeare's Macbeth, Malcolm and Donalbain flee after their father's assassination because they fear for their lives. Whoever killed their father is still in the castle, and they are obviously targets: "The near in blood, / The nearer bloody," concludes Donalbain.On which I must fall down?
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.Why does Macbeth want Banquo and Fleance dead?
Why does Macbeth want Banquo and Fleance dead? Because the witches fortune could come true for Banquo (his sons to become kings) and Macbeth doesn't want them to have power because it is a threat to Macbeth's power (he doesn't want rivals.) Fleance has escaped, but will be trouble later if he becomes King.What are Macbeth's arguments to himself against killing Duncan?
Macbeth's arguments to himself against killing Duncan are the consequences in the afterlife, his loyalty to as subject and host, how well he has treated and honored him lately. Lady Macbeth insults Macbeth's manhood in order to convince Macbeth to commit the murder.