Throughout this soliloquy, Macbeth talks about how dark and grim the night is, even though he isn't explicitly talking about killing the king. The darkness in Macbeth's mind expressing itself as bad weather goes along with one of Shakespeare's common motifs.
'Now o'er one halfworld, nature seems dead.'
The term 'one half world' is referring to the separation of night and day, in this case referring to the effect of night and darkness. The silence and stillness of the night makes it seem as though nature is dead. Metaphorically, Macbeth might also be referring to human nature.
'Thou sure and firm-set earth, hear not my steps which way they walk, for fear thy very stones prate of my whereabout.'
'Prate' literally means "to tattle." Although it's tempting to read 'whereabout' as "location," it actually denotes "purpose." Macbeth is asking the earth to ignore him as he stalks toward Duncan's chamber. He fears that if the earth actually hears his footsteps, the stones themselves might betray his intention. It is in reference to the notion that murdering the king is a crime against Nature itself. Macbeth knows that, although those around him are unaware of his crimes, the earth and the heavens know all.
'Now o'er one halfworld, nature seems dead.'
The term 'one half world' is referring to the separation of night and day, in this case referring to the effect of night and darkness. The silence and stillness of the night makes it seem as though nature is dead. Metaphorically, Macbeth might also be referring to human nature.
'Thou sure and firm-set earth, hear not my steps which way they walk, for fear thy very stones prate of my whereabout.'
'Prate' literally means "to tattle." Although it's tempting to read 'whereabout' as "location," it actually denotes "purpose." Macbeth is asking the earth to ignore him as he stalks toward Duncan's chamber. He fears that if the earth actually hears his footsteps, the stones themselves might betray his intention. It is in reference to the notion that murdering the king is a crime against Nature itself. Macbeth knows that, although those around him are unaware of his crimes, the earth and the heavens know all.