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"quarry"
Wordplay
Act 1,
Scene 2
Lines 14-15

An explanation of the wordplay on “quarry” in Act 1, Scene 2 of myShakespeare’s Macbeth.

Sergeant

And Fortune, on his damned quarry smiling,
Showed like a rebel's whore. But all's too weak,   

This example of wordplay has three possible interpretations:

  • Fortune (goddess of fate) is taking Macdonald’s side in the quarrel (quarry).
  • Fortune is smiling at the bodies of the royal soldiers slain by Macdonald (his quarry).
  • Fortune is smiling at Macbeth, Macdonald’s intended victim (his quarry).