Question

read this passage:
macbeth, aside. the prince of cumberland! that is a step
on which i must fall down, or else oerleap,
for in my way it lies. stars, hide your fires;
let not light see my black and deep desires:
the eye wink at the hand; yet let that be,
which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
—william shakespeare, macbeth, act i, scene iv
what future event does this passage foreshadow?
a. macbeth killing the king
b. macbeth killing malcolm
c. macbeth becoming prince of cumberland
d. the king killing macbeth

Explanation:

In this passage from Macbeth, Macbeth's "black and deep desires" and the reference to an action the eye fears to see after it's done hint at a violent act. The Prince of Cumberland is Malcolm, and Macbeth's ambition leads him to eventually kill King Duncan (the king) to seize power. Option B is incorrect as Macbeth doesn't kill Malcolm here (and Malcolm later becomes king). Option C is wrong because Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland, and Macbeth doesn't become that. Option D is incorrect as Macbeth is the one with murderous intentions, not the king. So the passage foreshadows Macbeth killing the king.

Answer:

A. Macbeth killing the king