Prompt#2: Shakespeare uses the soliloquy technique extensively in Macbeth. Choose the one soliloquy that you think most successfully defines a particular character, or a particular theme, in the play. Why did Shakespeare choose to have the character use a soliloquy here? Defend your choice.
I believe that Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 7 Lines 1-27 “if it were done, when ‘tis done...”, most successfully defines his character and the battle between ambition and loyalty in his mind.
ReplyDeleteIn this soliloquy Macbeth shows the turmoil he feels over the plan to kill King Duncan. Though Macbeth greatly aspires to be king he is unsure if the course of action he plans to take (killing Duncan) is the right one. He says that it would not be just to kill Duncan because “Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office”(A1, S7, L 16-18), meaning that Duncan has always been a humble and fair king. Macbeth also notes that King Duncan is in Iverness as a guest, and that Macbeth “as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door not bear the knife myself” (A1, S7, L14-16). As well as struggling with his sense of loyalty to the king Macbeth fears retribution, saying that “this even-handed justice”(A1, S7, L10) may come back to haunt him when he is king.
Towards the end of the soliloquy Macbeth admits that he has no way of rationalising the murder of King Duncan other than for his personal gain and ambition.
After the soliloquy we see Lady Macbeth enter and convince Macbeth to go through with the plan. Even though Macbeth ultimately commits the murder the soliloquy shows that it was not an easy decision to make and that he is fraught with reservations about it. This soliloquy makes us see Macbeth as a character who, though he makes the wrong decisions in order to fulfill his ambition, he still has a good aspect to his character in his reluctance to relinquish his loyalty to the king.
Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1 scene 5 lines 41-57, “the raven himself is hoarse...To cry, ‘Hold, hold!’” is also used to describe her character as the soliloquy Elizabeth mentioned about Macbeth. In this soliloquy, the audience gets a look at Lady Macbeth’s character and how she responds to the letter Macbeth sent her. On the previous page Lady Macbeth worries her husband is not going to be able to kill Duncan to become king. She tells us, “Yet I do fear thy nature; / It is too full o’ the milk of kindness / To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great...” (Act 1, sc. v, ln. 15-17). She is worried that her husband is too kind to kill Duncan. So, she decides to take matters into her own hands. We see that she is good at taking charge and that she is will to go to many lengths to become queen. She asks evil spirits, “...unsex me here, / And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full / Of direst cruelty!” (Act 1, sc. v, ln. 44-46) This means Lady Macbeth is now becoming evil and cruel so that she can commit the evil act of murder. She also asks the spirits to put measures in place so that her unseemly act will not be discovered when she says, “That no compunctious visitings of nature / Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between / The effect and it!” (Act 1 sc. v, ln. 48-50). All of this points to how evil she is becoming and the lengths she will go to make Macbeth king. Shakespeare also uses very strong imagery to indicate just how wicked she has become in the lines 50-51, “...Come to my woman’s breasts, / And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers,” (Act 1, sc. v).
ReplyDeleteOnce her soliloquy is over, Macbeth enters the castle and we see Lady Macbeth greet her husband, telling him how much she can see the prophecy coming true. She tells Macbeth, “Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, / Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under it.” (Act 1, sc. v, ln. 71-73) Here, she is saying look inviting and loyal, when you are really planning the kings murder and in scene six we see that she can do the same. Lastly she tell Macbeth, “ Only look up clear; / To alter favour ever is to fear: / Leave all the rest to me.” (Act 1, sc. v, ln. 79-81) This means all Macbeth has to do is look like the kind, gentle, loyal host that he is, and leave the rest to Lady Macbeth.
I agree with Elizabeth that the soliloquy in act 1 scene 7 with Macbeth really shows off his character and the struggle he is going through. I also agree with Elizabeth about the fact that this soliloquy lets us see that Macbeth really is not a bad character for doing this crime for the reason that even though in the end he did kill Duncan he truly did struggle with the decision.
ReplyDeleteThe soliloquy in act 1 scene 7 really emphasizes Macbeth’s character and the inner struggle he is going through.
The scene starts of with Macbeth questioning whether he should go through with the act to kill Duncan. He believes that if he does the act quickly it might all work out, however he then goes on to saying that “But in these cases/ We still have judgment here, that we but teach/ Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return/ To plague th' invento” (I, vii, 7-10). Here Macbeth is saying that if he commits this crime the same thing might befall him when he is king. Macbeth then struggles with the fact that the King, Duncan, trusted Macbeth, as his kinsman and as his host. Macbeth then says “Who should against his murderer shut the door, / Not bear the knife myself” (I, vii, 14-16). This is saying that Macbeth should be closing the doors upon murderers not trying to murder Duncan himself. Macbeth believes that this course of action is not a good one; the only thing leading him on in this course of action is his own ambition, which only leads people into disaster.
This soliloquy shows the inner struggle that Macbeth is going through, the struggle between his own ambition and his loyalty to the king. However in the end of the scene with Lady Macbeth’s help Macbeths ambition wins the struggle and he decides once and for all to kill Duncan. This also foreshadows the future play with how hard it was for Macbeth to make this decision and how much he was second-guessing it.
I believe the soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 1, Line 40-68 “Is this a dagger which I see before me...Words to the heat of deed too cold breath gives” defines the character of Macbeth very well. Macbeth recites this soliloquy before he murders Duncan. Throughout the play Macbeth becomes more insane and irrational because his overwhelming amount of ambition to become king.
ReplyDeleteThis soliloquy demonstrates Macbeth becoming more insane and irrational. At the start of the play he is a brave soldier and is very right-minded. This all started to change as he learned of his prophecies. Before the deed that Macbeth is about to commit, it is clear that he is becoming insane. “Is this a dagger which I see before me,/ the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee./ I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (2, 1, 40-42). He pictures a dagger covered in blood which he will use to kill Duncan, however he does not have his dagger in hand at that moment. It is simply his senses failing him. It is after all an illusion. We can see the increasing amount of irrational decisions and sense of sanity from the point that Macbeth delivers the soliloquy. An example of this is when Macbeth kept the daggers with him once he killed Duncan “Why did you bring these daggers from the place?/They must lie there:” (2, 2, 62-63)The irrationality amongst Macbeth at this moment on can be seen easily. He also confesses to Lady Macbeth while he was killing the king he heard a voice cry out “sleep no more,/ Macbeth does murder sleep” (2, 2, 33-34). These abnormal behaviours arose and are continued from the moment Macbeth presents his soliloquy.
This soliloquy defines Macbeth's character and how he is becoming more irrational and insane with every moment that passes by in the play. The soliloquy represents the transition from being sane to insane and rational to irrational for Macbeth's character.
I believe Shakespeare chose to have Macbeth present his soliloquy here is to show the audience that Macbeth was not in his right mind when he killed the king, but also for the rest of the evil actions he commits in the future. The soliloquy demonstrates that this was the turning point for Macbeth's irrationality and insanity.
I agree with Nicholai in the fact that the dagger soliloquy is an accurate portrayal of Macbeth's character as well as the struggles he faces with insanity and sanity.
ReplyDeleteMacbeth's dagger soliloquy (II, I, 40-71) "Is this a dagger which I see before me..." signifies the effect that Duncan's murder has on Macbeth. The soliloquy takes place before Macbeth murders Duncan, and it portrays Macbeth's struggle between sanity and insanity. It is proven that he is going insane when he pictures a bloody dagger before him that does not exist "A dagger of the mind, a false creation" (II, I, 45).
I believe Shakespeare chose to show this side of Macbeth in order to stress the importance of character transitions in the play. The soliloquy shows Macbeth's transition from loyal soldier, which we saw in the beginning of the play, to a man so consumed with the idea of power that he begins to go insane. As the play moves forward Macbeth becomes more and more unreasonable and insane. If we were to look forward into the play to Act 3 scene 1 where Macbeth discusses his plan to have Banquo and Fleance murdered we see Macbeth show no signs of remorse or insanity. However the fact that he shows no remorse or insanity when planning to kill one of his good friends is a true testament to how insane he has actually become.
Shakespeare chose to show the dagger soliloquy in order for his audience to compare Duncan's murder to Banquo's murder and how Macbeth's character changes throughout the play.
I agree with Nicholai that the dagger soliloquy allows an accurate insight of Macbeth’s character alongside with the struggles he is encountered with by the ideas of insanity. I believe that in order to fully understand a soliloquy, one must have a grasp on the previous lead up events in order to have an insight on the effects afterwards.
ReplyDeleteIn Act 2, Scene 1, Line 40-68, the scene commences with Banquo and Fleance departing for bed as Duncan’s servants get demised as well. This allows Macbeth the perfect set for Duncan’s murder. The departure of the characters sets a sense of rapidity, implying that Macbeth does not have time to think and must act quickly. In the ecstasy of the moment, Macbeth spoke a contemplating and mind-changing soliloquy which revealed his troubled state of mind. The soliloquy begins with Macbeth describing the dagger that is presented right in front of him. “Is this a dagger which I see before me,/ the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee./ I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (2, 1, 40-42). Impulsively, Macbeth tries to grab hold of it but cannot do so. Macbeth then realises that the dagger is a hallucination. The hallucinated dagger gives an expression of Macbeth’s evil actions but moral-controlled thoughts towards the murder of King Duncan. An insight of Macbeth’s realisation towards his change of mind is expressed through the line, “A dagger of the mind” (II, I, 45). This show’s Macbeth’s personal realisation to his insanity. Going back to the hallucinated dagger, it can be interpretive as Macbeth’s conscience already bothering him, even before the murder has been preformed. This as well, can be taken as an insight towards Macbeth’s insanity if before the murder has been done, he is already showing signs of insanity- hallucinations.
Agreeing with, Lclouthier, I believe that Shakespeare chose to show the evil side of Macbeth at the specific part to outline the character transformation within the play. This soliloquy specifically exemplifies Macbeth’s transition from a loyal, law-abiding soldier to a power-thirsty, no remorse character.
As a look forward, Macbeth later plans to murder his once good and trusted friend, Banquo and his son, Fleance. The idea alone of Macbeth’s planned murders, shows his transition from a character that once believed in doing right, but is now over swept by insanity and power.
I believe that Shakespeare also chose to input the dagger soliloquy before Macbeth’s second murder, so that the readers can have insight and a gruesome image of how the second murder is going to take place.
All in all, the soliloquy was put into the play to show the audience that Macbeth is no longer sane both before and after murdering of King Duncan and other characters. This is a foreshadow of the results of his future actions and murders towards other characters and how his evil actions will continue to amount.
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ReplyDeleteNot that i want to but i'm going to have to agree with Mary and go with Lady Macbeth's soliloquy in (I,v). Wher she expresses her joy for Macbeth but then she quickly shows her real self during this soliloquy. She portrays her husband as a weak person who is too kind to take control and do what needs to be done,we then see how she would quickly change her gender in order to able to take control(I,v)LMacbeth, "Under my battlements. Come you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,/And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full/Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood,...". She then goes on to wishing that Macbeth could just take charge and she in the end pressures him enough to do the unthinkable.
ReplyDeleteI think Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 5 defines her character and manipulative nature extremely well and contrasts Macbeth’s hesitant and loyal character. The soliloquy introduces one of the main themes in Macbeth, the theme of gender.
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 5 is the first time we meet her character in the play and from her very first line we can tell she is a very determined individual. In Lines 14-15, she says “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised”, meaning that Macbeth will get what he is promised (in this case, his promise is that he is going to be king). She goes on to explain how she doesn’t believe Macbeth has what it takes to seize the crown and that he is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 15-16) and we start to see her controlling nature when she says “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valour of my tounge” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 24-25).
After just learning about Macbeth’s prophecies, we can see just how evil Lady Macbeth is when she is already plotting the king’s murder without consulting Macbeth first. In Lines 44-46, she says “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe-top full of direst cruelty”. Lady Macbeth is hoping that she will become more like a man, and be filled with deadly cruelty, therefore being able to plot and follow through with Duncan’s murder without remorse. This quote not only shows Lady Macbeth’s malicious thoughts, but introduces the theme of gender and how she must become less “womanly” and more “manly” to commit this deed.
I think Shakespeare uses the soliloquy for Lady Macbeth because it would have been hard to understand Lady Macbeth’s ambitions, thoughts and manipulations from conversation. The audience needs insight to her thoughts to determine her character, and the only way to do that is through the soliloquy. If Shakespeare had cut out Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy, it might not have been so obvious to the audience what her character was really like.
I agree with Roger, in that the soliloquy does quickly show Lady Macbeth's personality and also with Mary in that Lady Macbeth is taking control of Duncan's murder, which she thinks Macbeth is incappable of doing.
In Act I scene V we get introduced to the character Lady Macbeth through a soliloquy. The soliloquy from lines14-29 “Glamis thou art …thee crown’d withal” I think really defines the character’s personality and ambition. In this specific scene lady Macbeth has just received the letter from Macbeth explaining the 3 prophecies that the witches bestowed upon him. The soliloquy written for Lady Macbeth shows how greedy she is for the crown and what she would willing do to achieve her goals. It also gives the reader/watcher a chance to compare the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth through their reactions to the prophecy of Macbeth becoming king. While Macbeth was willing to let the chips fall where they may “Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.” (I.iii.160-161), Lady Macbeth shows that she on the other hand is determined to manipulate the situation to get what she wants, also shown later in the scene where she is able to convince Macbeth to join her in her plans for the crown.
ReplyDeleteI think the main reason that Shakespeare chose to have lady Macbeth have a the moment to herself at this point in the play because it shows her reaction to the prophecies without a buffer of what the ‘proper’ response would be in a more public setting. It gives the audience the chance to meet Lady Macbeth and from our own opinions of her character based on her thoughts and actions that follow her soliloquy. The soliloquy was also used to move the play along in the direction of what people expected to happen once the prophecies were told. Most people would expect that Duncan would eventually be put in a position of danger and Lady Macbeths soliloquy gives people that “I knew that would happen” moment when she says that she will convince him to get the crown in whatever way possible. This soliloquy was used as a plot development as well as character development, which is why it was used in the play.
This probably should have been in my earlier comment but I completely agree with Nicholia that the soliloquy in Act 2 scene 1 really defines the character of Macbeth and shows how his mental integrity is deteriorating.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare's use of the soliloquy technique in the famous dagger scene is used to introduce Macbeth's insanity, and thus it is vital in the development of the plot and underlying themes. In Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 40-71, Shakespeare reveals a lot of information regarding Macbeth. Throughout lines 40-46, Macbeth states that he is imagining a dagger floating through the air: “Is this a dagger which I see before me,/ The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee./ I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” [II.i.40-42]. This quotation marks the beginning of Macbeth's madness. He later goes on to sat that there are drops of blood which cover the dagger, making reference to the ongoing theme of blood representing guilt: “And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood” [II.i.53]. The presence of blood imagery in this soliloquy foreshadows Macbeth's guilt, and symbolizes the fact that he is going insane from the thought of the murder that he is about to commit. Many examples of development of the plot, and of the theme of blood representing guilt can be seen throughout this soliloquy, making it a very important inclusion to the play.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare includes this soliloquy before the murder of Duncan to show the extent of Macbeth insanity from the mere thought of murder, without yet committing the act. This foreshadows the worsening insanity that Macbeth will have after committing Duncan's murder, and the murders following it.
In conclusion, Shakespeare utilized the soliloquy technique in this part of the play for foreshadowing, plot development, and theme development.
The extensive use of soliloquies by William Shakespeare in the play Macbeth helps define characters. This is because the soliloquies expose the thoughts of the character, revealing the true nature of the character for the audience. A soliloquy in I, vii that is presented by Macbeth, reveals to the audience more depth to his character. Shakespeare chose to have this soliloquy here not only to develop the character of Macbeth but to develop the plot as well.
ReplyDeleteMacbeth develops his character for throughout the soliloquy when he explains is reasoning for wanting to kill king Duncan. “I have no spur/To prick the side of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition which o'erleaps”. (I, vii, 25-27) This demonstrates Macbeth's selfish reasoning for committing a murder. This contributes a greedy aspect to Macbeth's character. Another quote that exemplifies Macbeth's self-centered qualities is “Duncan/Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/So clear in his great office”. (I, vii, 17-18) This shows that Macbeth recognizes that Duncan is a good ruler, using his power for only the good of Scotland. However, Macbeth is compelled to murder Duncan so that he may become king, demonstrating his ambition to only help himself. Macbeth’s self-centered ambition is further proved when he contemplates consequences in the afterlife for murdering Duncan. During the Shakespearian times, the people focused greatly on religion and their actions of today in hopes of a pleasant afterlife. For Macbeth to say “But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,/We’d jump the life to come” (I, vii, 6-7), Macbeth demonstrates his carelessness for his eternity beyond death. Macbeth says he will cope with the consequences later as long as he is king in this life. This demonstrates that his selfish motives create a blinding ambition that is so strong that he is pushed to defy God.
Another character trait being presented is Macbeth’s submissiveness. In scene v, Lady Macbeth disregards Macbeth’s qualities of honorable and kind. Instead, Lady Macbeth tries to persuade Macbeth to kill the king. When she realizes that Macbeth is hesitant and conflicted, she says “Leave all the rest to me” (I, v, 81). Later, Macbeth starts his soliloquy by saying “If it were done, when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well/It were done quickly;” (I, vii, 1-2), explaining that he feels that he should commit the murder as soon as possible and be done with it. This sudden change demonstrates that Macbeth has given into Lady Macbeth’s wishes, demonstrating his submissiveness towards his wife.
The third and final personal trait of Macbeth that I believe is revealed is his untrustworthiness. He shows that he is untrustworthy when he wants to kill Duncan because Duncan trusts Macbeth as “his kinsman and his subject,/Strong both against the deed: then as his host,/Who should against his murderer shut the door,/Not bear the knife myself.” (I, vii, 13-16) Macbeth is trusted by Duncan in various ways yet Macbeth is capable of wanting Duncan dead. This speaks to Macbeth’s character as he is obviously untrustworthy.
This soliloquy advances the plot because there is foreshadowing of what is to come. Line 8-11 of this soliloquy tells that should Macbeth kill King Duncan, Macbeth may be killed as well. This foreshadowing shows how the plot will advance later, but the use of foreshadowing builds up until that moment when it climaxes.
Overall, I believe that soliloquies are effective for they are a writing device used in plays to better illustrate a theme or character for the audience. The soliloquy in Act I, scene vii, lines 1-28 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth truly exposes the character of Macbeth and also shows a little of the story to come.
Act 1 scene 7
ReplyDeleteMacbeth's siloquoy is most effective. It strongly demonstrates his character, with his desire for higher power but he is too timid to do so. He talks about how if it was as simple as it sounds it would already be done and he would be happy with everything but in reality every crime has a punishment and reaction.
"We still have judgement here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught in return
To plague the inventor"
He is stating how violence only inspires more violence and it will come back to whoever started it in worse formats.
15 - 20
He talks about how he could not kill Duncan he is the king and Macbeth is a subject it is his duty to protect the kind also he is a guest and he should be protecting him not plotting his murder. This is demonstrating the more humane side of Macbeth with real deep emotions and loyalty to his king.
25 - 27
His last lines of the soliloquy are most powerful Macbeth says the only motivation he has is ambition, and how it makes men act as fools rushing themselves into their own disaster.
Shakespeare uses sliloquys highly effectively most of the characters in groups do not show emotion or have depth to their character or plot until they are alone on stage speaking of what they will only reveal when no one else could hear them .
The soliloquy which I think most successfully defines a particular character and theme would be the one in Act 2, scene 1. This soliloquy is taken place prior to Macbeth killing Duncan. In my opinion, this soliloquy best describes Macbeth’s character and supports the motif of hallucination. This also supports the theme of how ambition can affect one’s choices as Macbeth is determined to become king.
ReplyDeleteAs the play gets closer to Macbeth killing Duncan, Macbeth has a soliloquy that accurately describes his character. As he is constantly hallucinating about the idea of killing Duncan, the things Macbeth envisions about shows that his insanity is raising. The quote “A dagger of the mind, a false creation,” (II, i, 45) is an example of Macbeth hallucinating. This quote is also linked to murdering Duncan as Macbeth realizes the dagger that he intends on using was not actually real at this time. Another quote that can be used to represent Macbeth’s insanity through hallucination would be “And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood,” (II, i, 53). I believe that this quote is a good representation of Macbeth’s insanity because he imagines blood on the dagger, meaning that he has killed somebody, and in this case it would be Duncan. To further show that Macbeth stays in this state is when he says, “Methought, I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!” “ (II, ii, 47). Since Macbeth has carried out the plan of killing Duncan, this increases his insanity as he hears voices telling him that he will not sleep anymore. This soliloquy, as well as other quotes, best define Macbeth’s character as his insanity and hallucinations escalate further on.
I believe that this soliloquy is also the best representation of one of the major themes in this play. One of the themes is about how the desire and determination that someone has can lead to inappropriate decisions. As described in the above paragraph, Macbeth hallucinates about a dagger he is going to use to murder Duncan. If the witches were not to have told Macbeth about his prophecy of becoming king, these envisions towards assassinating Duncan would not occur, nor would Macbeth have the ambition to kill him to be king. “I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.” (II, ii, 69) This is an example of how Macbeth’s ambition towards becoming king leads him to making inappropriate decisions. He kills Duncan to fulfill his third prophecy of becoming king.
I agree with Courtney Sheehan and Nicholai Reid for the reasons why Shakespeare may have chosen to put a character soliloquy here. This soliloquy absolutely shows that Macbeth is no longer sane as he hallucinates and commits a murder, as well as him not being in the correct state of mind. Furthermore, this also introduces foreshadowing as Macbeth plans on killing Banquo and Fleance immediately after he realizes that after him, they will receive the position of the throne as Macbeth has no son(s) to take his position.
Amanda's post brought the motif of hallucination to my attention. We had talked about Macbeth's mental deterioration however that phrase could mean many things. I believe that hallucination better defines Macbeth's condition.
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ReplyDeleteTo add variety to the responses chosen above, I believe Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1, truly exemplifies his explicit lust for domination and contributes to theme of unconstrained ambition leading to one’s corruption. At this point in the play, Macbeth has been crowned king of Scotland, thus fulfilling the witch’s third and final prophecy. However, this soliloquy outlines Macbeth’s fears of the opposing threats that surround him, specifically Banquo. As the audience learned previously Banquo’s descendants will become king one day, which triggers Macbeth’s insecurity upon the throne. Banquo states his opinion on Macbeth’s sudden kingship earlier in the scene, “and I fear / Thou play’dst most foully for’t: yet it was said / It should not stand in thy posterity, / But that myself should be the root and father / Of many kings” (III.i.2-6). He feels Macbeth is leading hypocrisy before him and that if the witches speak true then his son, Fleance will be crowned. Macbeth recognizes this and expresses his doubts over Banquo and his presence as king.
ReplyDeleteThe opening lines of the soliloquy, “To be thus is nothing, / But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature / Reigns that which would be feared” (III.i.52-55) demonstrate his blatant fear of Banquo. Macbeth continues to explain how he feels Banquo has the intellect and valor to act in a safe manner if he was to attempt overthrowing Macbeth. Macbeth recalls how the supernatural forces of the witches had, “plac[ed] a fruitless --crown” upon his head, signifying that no descendant of his will receive the crown. Macbeth then perceives Duncan’s murder as something that was accomplished for Banquo’s sons. He summarizes the soliloquy by reasoning his moral conflicts, “Put rancours in the vessel of my peace / Only for them; and mine eternal jewel / Given to the common enemy of man” (III.1.72-75). He suggests that he tortured his own peace for Banquos son’s benefit and his soul has now been handed to the devil (enemy of man). Macbeth concludes by stating, “Rather than so, come fate into the list, / And champion me to th' utterance” (III.i.75-76). This establishes his insanity as Macbeth will challenge fate and murder both Banquo and Fleance in order to prolong his supremacy as king.
I presume Shakespeare placed this soliloquy here to confirm Macbeth’s insecurity and to expose the audience to Macbeth’s troubled mind. Macbeth had exhibited symptoms of paranoia, as his delirious statements show. This soliloquy also provides differences to that of Duncan’s murder, here Macbeth is more confident in his immediate decision to eliminate Banquo and Fleance. In contrary, the first murder had been influenced and manipulated by Lady Macbeth, which was not apparent in this scene. The soliloquy is also a confirmation of Macbeth’s corrupt mind, highlighting his licentious ambition to remain king; a reoccurring theme of the play.
A current real world situation that best represents Macbeth’s fears and insecurity would be either Adolf Hitler or Josef Stalin (more current - Muammar Gadafi, the Libyan leader since 1969), both political leaders during the second World War. All three tyrants had complete power over the people, which stood beneath them, and ultimately this power lead to their corruption and the deaths of those surrounding them. Their insecurity was evident, as all of them had or were responsible for the deaths of innocent people (Macbeth murdering Banquo and Macduff’s family). Proffessor Rolan Mushat Frye’s writing, “Stalin, Hitler, and Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Modern Totalitarianism and Ancient Tyranny” summarizes how they all committed crimes against humanity acting as “massive evils” over the people they feared and controlled.
Works Cited:
Frye, Roland Mushat. "Introduction." Hitler, Stalin, and Shakespeare's Macbeth: Modern Totalitarianism and Ancient Tyranny. University of Pennsylvania: American Philosophical Society. 81. Print.
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ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses the soliloquy technique effectively with Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 7. In this soliloquy, Shakespeare successfully defines Macbeth as an ambitious person who wants to be loyal to the king.
ReplyDeleteHere, Macbeth is conflicted with the idea of trying to achieve his third prophecy while maintaining loyalty to the king. As some have mentioned, Macbeth displays his regret over the plan of killing the king in which he lists all the reasons why he shouldn’t kill the king when he says “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject/Strong both against the deed; then, as his host/Who should against his murderer shut the door” (I, vii, 13-15). Here he speaks about how he is the king’s kinsman and his subject that he should always protect, and his host for the evening should close the door on the king’s murderer instead of being the actual person murdering the king. As well, this soliloquy has shown that Macbeth does in fact show loyalty to the king. When Macbeth says, “Duncan/Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/So clear in his great office, that his virtues/Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against/The deep damnation of his taking-off”(I,vii,16-20), he speaks about how Duncan has been a humble leader who is free of corruption in which his murder will result in angels playing trumpets against this injustice. This suggests that Macbeth realizes that killing Duncan would be an injustice and shows remorse before even killing him, which supports Lady Macbeth’s description of him in Act 1, Scene 5 as a man “Too full o’ the milk of human kindness” (I,v, 16). Towards, the end of the soliloquy, Macbeth states that “I have no spur/To prick the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself/And falls on th' other”(I,vii,25-28). Here Macbeth says that the only rationale he has in killing Duncan is his ambition to become king.
By having this Macbeth perform a soliloquy here, it allows the reader to know what he is thinking about. It shows how conflicted Macbeth is about killing Duncan. As some had mentioned, although Macbeth had killed Duncan later on in the play, this soliloquy shows that it was reluctant decision to kill him. This can be related to people who are conflicted with their morals and ethics against their ambition. A real-life scenario would be a student who realizes that the only way that they can pass their test is through cheating and is conflicted on whether or not they should take the failure or swallow their dignity and cheat.
I agree with Mary, Roger, Emily, and Heather. At least for me, one of the most significant soliloquys was Lady Macbeth’s in Act 1 scene 5. I found that this scene was significant because it shows her willingness to corrupt Macbeth into murdering the king, because it’s the first time the audience is given a glimpse at Lady Macbeth’s hunger for power, and because it clearly develops the plot by showing her role as a driving force towards Macbeth’s insanity and ultimate demise.
ReplyDeleteThis soliloquy occurs immediately after Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband, informing her of the witches’ prophecies. Speaking of Macbeth (before her soliloquy), she says “Yet I do fear thy nature; / It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way” (I, v, 15-17). By this she is saying that Macbeth is too kind to murder Duncan, a crime that Lady Macbeth sees as the quickest route to the throne. She shows in this scene her immoral ambition to make Macbeth king, through whatever means possible. We soon see her expressing the wish to take charge of the situation, and to convince Macbeth to murder the king. She says, “Hie thee hither / That I may pour my spirits in thine ear / And chastise with the valour of my tongue / All that impedes thee from the golden round” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 24-27). By this Lady Macbeth is saying that she will talk Macbeth into murdering Duncan.
Lady Macbeth’s personality is shown to us for the first time in the soliloquy, found in lines (I, v, 41-57). This dialogue defines her well, as a controlling, cruel, and determined individual. Allegedly confronting evil spirits, she says, “unsex me here, / And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full / Of direst cruelty!” (I, v, 44-46). She is essentially telling these spirits to fill her with cruelty in order for her to become queen, and to transform her into a man in order for her to become more remorseless in Duncan’s death. This quotation clearly shows her cruel and evil nature. She further says, “Come to my woman’s breasts, / And take my milk for gall” (I, v, 50-51) and “Make thick my blood, / Stop up the access and passage to remorse” (I, v, 46-47). These excerpts from the soliloquy further show the inner savagery of Lady Macbeth.
Much of the play’s plot is shown in this soliloquy, in that throughout the rest of the play, much of the storyline revolves around Macbeth’s corruption through Lady Macbeth. It is clear that Shakespeare included this soliloquy in Macbeth in order to highlight Lady Macbeth’s flaws and her role as a driving force towards Macbeth’s lunacy.
In my opinion, the soliloquy spoken by Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 5, lines 41-57, “The raven himself is hoarse/That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/Under my Battlements... To cry, “Hold, Hold!”” helps to define character the most throughout Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Though there are many soliloquies in this play, most of them regarding Macbeth, I think that this particular soliloquy helps to define the character and give you a good view of her morals, values, and ambitions. This soliloquy really helps the audience or readers figure out the character of Lady Macbeth, and the lengths she would go to in order to become Queen, or in some position of power. When she says “unsex me here,/And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full/of direst cruelty!” it is evident to the audience that she would much prefer to be a man, because in this time, the thought of a woman doing such vile acts was unfathomable, and it appears as though she believes that if she were a man the guilt of killing somebody would somehow disappear. This soliloquy also helps to show people how much Lady Macbeth changes by the end of the play, and how the murders she had been an accomplice to put her in a state in which she couldn’t sleep and had suicidal thoughts, which is practically the exact opposite of her character in the beginning. In the soliloquy, Shakespeare shows that Lady Macbeth is essentially the stronger of the two in the couple of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, which definitely changes by the end. I think that Shakespeare put this soliloquy in the appropriate place because it built enough suspense leading to the meeting of the much talked about Lady Macbeth. Her soliloquy was, in my opinion, put in the perfect place because it was also not included further into the play, which would seem almost too suspenseful to the point that the audience would not really care about Lady Macbeth, and just see her as a minor role, though she is obviously a major role in the play. It was definitely a good idea to make this scene the first time we are introduced to Lady Macbeth, because it shows us that she is ambitious and strong-willed and sets up a very interesting story line regarding Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. As effective as they are, it seems to me that the Macbeth soliloquies do not help furthering the development of character as much as Lady Macbeth’s soliloquies do.
ReplyDeleteWe see in Macbeth that Shakespeare uses the soliloquy technique several times for a character to describe inner feelings or for the audience to connect with the train of thought of which the character feels. A soliloquy is most often seen in drama when a person talks to their self out loud or is oblivious to others hearing of their speech.
ReplyDeleteI choice an important soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 40-68, where Macbeth is revealing his thoughts and guilty feeling towards killing King Duncan before he actually does. He expresses to the audience that he does not have any need to kill him other than ambition to become king. He believes Duncan is a loyal king and respects him highly.
The soliloquy begins with Macbeth imagining the dagger dragging him towards Duncan as he sleeps peacefully. “The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.” (II, I, L. 41). He is hallucinating, we know this because he describes the dagger hard to grab on to from his lack of trust in his sense of touch and sight. He then describes the dagger is to be pushing him towards Duncan’s room as if to commit the crime and get it over with. “I see thee yet, in form as palpable as this which now I draw. Thou marshal’st me the way that I was going, and instrument I was to use”. (II, I, L. 47-50). Macbeth is filled with guilt, uneasiness, and confusion at the time he is hallucinating this.
Soon his hallucination becomes reality as we are confirmed by the reference of animal imagery and blood imagery. “It is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes” (II, I, L. 55-56). He speaks this as he walks up to Duncan’s room preparing with adjustments to his surroundings. He has to walk in silence to prevent giving him away.
To confirm Duncan has been killed, Lady Macbeth rings the bell for a clear indication. As Macbeth hears the bell ring, an image of the death is replayed in his head making him uneasy. He returns to his chamber where Lady Macbeth awaits for him only to see he returns with the knife.
The dagger scene is a fantastic soliloquy because it creates an intense moment for the audience upon Macbeth’s character. Macbeth has failed himself due to his strong imagination that has brought Macbeth to Duncan’s chamber that night.
To me Macbeth’s soliloquy in act 5, scene 3 is the one with the most impact and success. It is a reflection of his own life and life in general as he gives his own views on the subject. This gives us a glance into his final feelings and reveals what his character has become before he heads into battle and is ultimately killed.
ReplyDeleteHe explains that with each day that goes by fools are brought closer to their deaths “And all our yesterdays have lighted fools, The way to dusty death” (V, v, 24-25). I interpreted these lines as a realization that he is a fool for killing Duncan and that it was only a matter of time before his deeds led to his death. Macbeth also relates his life to that of an actor “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more” (V, v, 26-28). Here he is comparing his kingship to that of an actor, he had his time in the spotlight but when he is dethroned he will be quickly forgotten. I think he was showing regret that he wasn’t a better king and left nothing memorable for people to look back on his reign and admire him.
This bleak outlook on life is derived from the way he lived his life. He is filled with regret and remorse for what he did, saying his life is meaningless and empty. I believe it was placed right before he went into battle so people could see that he was not proud of the way he ruled or came to power before his death. If it had been any earlier it would have given too much time to sympathize with his character, but placed where it was Shakespeare allows you to understand his true feelings before he is slandered by Macduff and the other fighters.
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