Both Uses of
wretched
in
Macbeth
- there are a crew of wretched souls
That stay his cure.p. 149.2wretched = miserableeditor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "There is a group of miserable souls waiting for him to heal them."
- I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms
Are hired to bear their staves. Either thou, Macbeth,
Or else my sword, with an unbattered edge,
I sheathe again undeeded.p. 183.6 *wretched = miserableeditor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "I cannot bring myself to strike down miserable foot soldiers, who are only paid to carry their weapons. Either you, Macbeth, or I will return my sword to its sheath, unused and still sharp."
Definition:
very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."