All 3 Uses of
avarice
in
Macbeth
- Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sinp. 143.5 *avaricious = having or showing excessive desire for wealth
- With this there grows,
In my most ill-composed affection, such
A stanchless avarice, that, were I king,
I should cut off the nobles for their lands;
Desire his jewels, and this other's house:
And my more-having would be as a sauce
To make me hunger more; that I should forge
Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal,
Destroying them for wealth.†p. 145.2avarice = excessive desire for wealth
- This avarice
Sticks deeper; grows with more pernicious root
Than summer-seeming lust; and it hath been
The sword of our slain kings: yet do not fear;
Scotland hath foysons to fill up your will,
Of your mere own: all these are portable,
With other graces weighed.†p. 145.4
Definition:
excessive desire for wealth
Like "greed", but implies greed specifically for money. The early Christian Church counted avarice as one of the "seven deadly sins."