Thursday 28 March 2013

Macbeth's Soliloquy (Act I, scene vii)



If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly. If th' assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch,
With his surcease, success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all -- here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague th' inventor: this even-handed justice
Commends th' ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips. He's here in double trust:
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,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this 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;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on th' other --
Macbeth is second guessing his plan to murder Duncan.









Macbeth is concerned that he will be punished in the afterlife




Acts as foreshadowing--the idea of karma, if you do bad things it will come back to you




Macbeth concerned about betraying Duncan because kinsman and his subject


Macbeth is also his host, so he should protect Duncan, not kill him

Duncan doesn’t deserve murder; he is a good king who the people respect and love














Macbeth realizes that he had no reason to kill Duncan, except for his ambition to be king

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