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All Site ContentMacbethAct 5Scene 2
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"like a giant's robe"
Simile
Act 5,
Scene 2
Lines 17b-23a

An explanation of the “giant’s robe” simile in Act 5, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Macbeth.

Angus

                                         Now does he feel
His secret murders sticking on his hands;
Now, minutely, revolts upbraid his faith-breach;
Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.

The clothing simile explains how Angus imagines Macbeth feels at this moment. The wickedly obtained title of king feels ill-suited to Macbeth, as would the clothes of a giant to a dwarf who has stolen them.