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All Site ContentMacbethAct 5Scene 7
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Freak Shows
Historical Illusion
Act 5,
Scene 7
Lines 55-57a

Macduff making an allusion to a freak show in Act 5, Scene 7 of myshakespeare's Macbeth.

Macduff

We'll have thee, as our rarer monsters are,
Painted on a pole and underwrit,
'Here may you see the tyrant.'

Macbeth

[Macbeth and Macduff exit, fighting. Trumpets sound the signal for retreat. Malcolm, Siward, Ross, and other thanes enter to the sound of a military band, surrounded by their banners]

Malcolm

Siward

Malcolm

Ross

Siward

Ross

Siward

Ross

Siward

Malcolm

Siward

[Re-enter Macduff with Macbeth's head]

Macduff

All

[Trumpets sound]

Malcolm

[Trumpets. All exit.]

Macduff is making an allusion to a freak show where a monster was on display, and out front was a painted advertising poster on a pole to attract customers.