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All Site ContentMacbethAct 1Scene 4
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"Stars"
Simile
Act 1,
Scene 4
Lines 49-54

An explanation of the simile of stars in Act 1, Scene 4 of myShakespeare’s Macbeth.

Macbeth

[Aside] The Prince of Cumberland — that is a step
On which I must fall down, or else overleap,
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.

After announcing that his son is to receive the highest honor of heir to the throne, Duncan reassured Macbeth that other honors, like stars, will shine on everyone who deserves them (line 42). Here, Macbeth picks up on that simile, saying he does not want the stars to shine on him, lest they reveal his dark desires.