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All Site ContentMacbethAct 5Scene 7
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"the Roman fool"
Allusion
Act 5,
Scene 7
Lines 31-33a

An explanation of the allusion to “the Roman fool” in Act 5, Scene 7 of myShakespeare’s Macbeth.

Macbeth

Why should I play the Roman fool and die
On mine own sword whiles I see lives. The gashes
Do better upon them.
[Enter Macduff]

Macduff

Macbeth

Macduff

[They fight]

Macbeth

Macduff

Macbeth

Macduff

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.]

When he refers to “the Roman fool,” Macbeth is referencing Cato, a famous Roman statesman. Cato fought against Julius Caesar in a civil war, and when he was defeated, he chose to commit suicide rather than live under Caesar’s rule. Macbeth disdains Cato’s choice, saying that he’d rather fight to the bitter end.