Macbeth Soliloquy Act 1 Scene 7

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Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 7 gives a true insight into his inner turmoil and confusion. This is evidenced by the way in which he vacillates between two states of mind. In the beginning, we see a Macbeth who is decisive and confident, willing to kill. “If it were done when tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly.” The way in which he phrases his argument to commit regicide is almost clinical in attitude; to the point, no holds barred.

When Macbeth says “If it were done when tis done,” one gets a sense of how he has disassociated himself from his morals and human emotions. The word “it” is used in a way to desensitise himself from the true horror of killing not only another human being, but a king whom he he later describes …show more content…
One may argue that Shakespeare wants us to think of Macbeth as cunning and conniving with no real semblance of moral integrity. For him to even contemplate murder would immediately exclude Macbeth from being granted any admiration or saving grace. This is evidenced through his fluctuation between two states of mind. At a certain point Macbeth was quite content with committing regicide. This almost forces the audience to view him as moral degenerate. Shakespeare further exposes the despicable facet of Macbeth’s personality when we hear him indulge in what may be perceived as insincere, disingenuous overly dramatic praise of Duncan. For example he says “he 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.” The fact that his stand point changes so often and so drastically makes us think that Shakespeare wants us to despise him.

In addition, Shakespeare adds emphasis using the technique of Caesura, pauses in mid sentence, particularly to make him seem evil, plotting , carefully the demise of King Duncan. An example being the quote “If the assassination, could trammel up the consequences.” Stopping after the word “assassination” makes the reader think that he is planning the murder, thinking about how he could carry it
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