Analysis of Macbeth: Act 1 Scene 7

De Schotse Koning “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter,”( I. 3. 53). Macbeth, infamously known as ‘that Scottish play’, was written by Shakespeare in 1606. It was not only a contemporary adaptation of the Prince, by Machiavelli, but the play also served to strengthen James I claim to the throne. In Macbeth, our hero of the same name has an unquenchable thirst for power that leads him to his downfall. The audience is privy to Macbeth’s mental evolution as they witness his transition into a tyrant. The seventh scene of the first act is the first example of active rhetoric, on behalf of Lady Macbeth, to sway Macbeth towards killing his cousin, Duncan. In this scene Macbeth and Lady Macbeth make use of rhetorical devices as they attempt to persuade one another towards their constitution. Macbeth uses an uncertain tone during his discussion with his conscious and syllogism when solidifying his rationale while Lady Macbeth counters with invective language to emasculate Macbeth and sarcasm to ruin his self-esteem. Macbeth is caught in a conundrum. At this moment he has been prophesized to be King by witches, and tasked by his ambitious wife to commit murder against his loyal and virtuous cousin Duncan, and assume the throne. Macbeth begins his argument internally as evidenced not only by his aside but by the tone he uses. Macbeth’s sentiment towards the assassination plot is conflicted due to his unwillingness to wholly commit to the murder. “… but this blow might be the end-all and the be-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d jump the life to come,” (I.7.4-7). Macbeth repeatedly uses the word “but” as he argues with himself on whether or not he should commit the murder. This uncertainty plagues his judgment and thus weakens his constitution to the point where he forces himself to design a permeable wall of decision. The aforementioned wall is created by Macbeth in the form of syllogism. The construction of this

Cited: 1) Shakespeare, William. "Act I, Scene 7." Macbeth: FOLGER Shakespeare Library. New York: Washington Square, 1992. 39-45. Print.