Question

read the passage from act 2, scene 4 of the tragedy of macbeth.
ross. will you to scone?
macduff. no, cousin, ill to fife.
ross. well, i will thither.
macduff. well, may you see things well done there: adieu!
lest our old robes sit easier than our new!
what is the purpose of the rhetorical device in the underlined text?
○ the asyndeton connects ideas related to duncan death.
○ the irony reveals macduffs true feelings about macbeth.
○ the metonymy shows macduffs concern for their circumstances.
○ the rhetorical question makes the point that the crown is in contention.

Explanation:

The underlined line uses metonymy: "old robes" stands for the previous rule under Duncan, and "new robes" stands for Macbeth's new reign. Macduff's line expresses worry that the old, familiar (and better) rule was easier to bear than the new, uncertain one under Macbeth, showing his concern about their changing circumstances. The other options are incorrect: there is no asyndeton (lack of conjunctions), no irony (the statement is a sincere veiled concern), and no rhetorical question here.

Answer:

C. The metonymy shows Macduff's concern for their circumstances.