Here he compares doing the assassination, if it was fast and with no bad consequences, to a new life. A few critics argue that it is a classroom metaphor, with "bank" actually "bench" and "shoal" meaning "school. Macbeth is a tyrannous ruler who consorts with witches and "murders" sleep; the kind and venerable King … macbeth soliloque act 1 scene 7 metaphors? ". However, "bank" can also mean "bench," and schoolboys sat on benches, so maybe "school" is correct, and the meaning is that life here on earth is meant to teach us the way to life after … The first text of Macbeth reads "school" instead of "shoal"; Lewis Theobald, an 18th-century editor, made the change because he thought that Shakespeare meant that life here on earth is only a sandbar in the river of time. But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'd jump the life to come." Evil and sinister things have taken the place of all that is good and just. Macbeth … Every word is a perfectly ordinary modern word … But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come.” –Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 4-7: Macbeth to himself about King Duncan’s impending death Macbeth compares his indecision about killing Duncan to being on the bank of a river. This phrase is a metaphor that describes the state of affairs within Macbeth and without in Scotland. Macbeth Soliloquy Glossary: If it were done when 'tis done... (1.7.1-29) bank and shoal of time (6) Critics are divided on the meaning of this passage. --Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 4-7: Macbeth to himself about King Duncan's impending death. But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'ld jump the life to come. For example, Macbeth says "But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we'd jump the life to come."