Macbeth Soliloquy Analysis
Soliloquy Analysis
Jessie Atlija
English
Routledge
Context: The soliloquy that occurs in 2.1 is key to the Shakespeare play, Macbeth. Macbeth is getting closer and closer to killing the king Duncan, so that he, can become king. Macbeth is alone and starts hallucinating. He believes he sees a dagger, which he is supposed to kill Duncan with, but he cannot tell if it is just his brain taking over, or if there is an actual Dagger in front of him. When he does realize it is just his fevered brain, he then believes it is time to commit the crime because the more he waits, the more he feels as if he cannot kill Duncan. “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me./ Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell / That summons thee to heaven or to hell” (2.1.69-71)
Character Development: This soliloquy is significant in the character development of Macbeth. While reading this soliloquy, there is proof that Macbeth is weak, “Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.” (2.1.63). This means that the more Macbeth waits, the more his courage drains. He does not appear to want to commit the crime himself, but he is showing Lady Macbeth that he is a man. The soliloquy spoken in 2.1 shows that he is not able to control himself when he is under pressure. The pressure from Lady Macbeth is causing him severe hallucinations, which also represents his weakness. “To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but / A dagger of the mind, a false creation, / Proceeding from the heat-opressed brain?” (2.1.38-40). These hallucinations are what make him realize that it is time to commit Duncans murder.
Throughout the soliloquy, there is evidence that Macbeth is nervous, “Thou sure and firm-set earth, / Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear / Thy very stones prate of my whereabout,” (2.1.58-60). This shows that Macbeth is worried about being caught in action, which is what is making him nervous. Macbeths hallucinations are provoking him even more, “Thou marshall’st me
Jessie Atlija
English
Routledge
Context: The soliloquy that occurs in 2.1 is key to the Shakespeare play, Macbeth. Macbeth is getting closer and closer to killing the king Duncan, so that he, can become king. Macbeth is alone and starts hallucinating. He believes he sees a dagger, which he is supposed to kill Duncan with, but he cannot tell if it is just his brain taking over, or if there is an actual Dagger in front of him. When he does realize it is just his fevered brain, he then believes it is time to commit the crime because the more he waits, the more he feels as if he cannot kill Duncan. “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me./ Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell / That summons thee to heaven or to hell” (2.1.69-71)
Character Development: This soliloquy is significant in the character development of Macbeth. While reading this soliloquy, there is proof that Macbeth is weak, “Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.” (2.1.63). This means that the more Macbeth waits, the more his courage drains. He does not appear to want to commit the crime himself, but he is showing Lady Macbeth that he is a man. The soliloquy spoken in 2.1 shows that he is not able to control himself when he is under pressure. The pressure from Lady Macbeth is causing him severe hallucinations, which also represents his weakness. “To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but / A dagger of the mind, a false creation, / Proceeding from the heat-opressed brain?” (2.1.38-40). These hallucinations are what make him realize that it is time to commit Duncans murder.
Throughout the soliloquy, there is evidence that Macbeth is nervous, “Thou sure and firm-set earth, / Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear / Thy very stones prate of my whereabout,” (2.1.58-60). This shows that Macbeth is worried about being caught in action, which is what is making him nervous. Macbeths hallucinations are provoking him even more, “Thou marshall’st me