Choose THREE lines in Macbeth's address at the beginning of Act I, scene vii. Please use each line to explain why you think Macbeth might be for or against the killing of Duncan. Defend your reasoning in ABOUT 10 THOUGHTFUL AND WELL-CONSTRUCTED SENTENCES.
What I think is that Macbeth is not entirely sure if he wants to go out and kill the king but is leaning toward not killing Duncan. A line that points to this is the line" 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." What this line is saying is that the current king is a very virtuous person, is very humble and would be awful if left and shows that Macbeth is leaning toward not killing Duncan. Another line that i think shows his reluctance to kill the king is the line "He's here in double trust; First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,Strong both against the deed." What I think this line is saying is that the king is his kin and is against. A line that I think shows his uncertainty is the line "I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only
ReplyDeleteVaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other." I think that this line shows that all he has the ambition to kill Duncan and not the control to get away with it.
Act 1 Scene 7 Lines 1-2 "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly." In this line, if "it" is interpreted as murder, Macbeth seems like he doesn't want to have that much experience of killing someone he knows. I believe that this line means that Macbeth is saying that if he has to kill someone, he wants it over with as fast as possible.
ReplyDeleteAct 1 Scene 7 Lines 9-10 "Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th' inventor." I believe that the bloody instructions refer to the act of murder or possibly to the way Lady Macbeth told Macbeth what to do in Act 1 Scene 5. Macbeth thinks that once he obeys Lady Macbeth's instructions and kills Duncan, his acts will come back to haunt him. He is hesitant because he knows that his actions are permanent and if he kills Duncan, he may be condemning himself to being eternally plagued by his past actions.
Act 1 Scene 7 Lines 16-18 "Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office." In this line, Macbeth describes the virtues of Duncan. It appears that Macbeth thinks highly of Duncan, or at least of how he serves well in his rank. Besides having respect for Duncan, Macbeth also seems to imply that he would make a bad replacement for Duncan when he takes his office in succession.
Macbeth eventually kills Duncan and it is apparent in Act 2 scene 2 he is remorseful of this heinous act. Though he displays remorse in Act 2 scene 2 , I think as readers we should have predicted that because of the following lines:
ReplyDelete"We will proceed no further in this business.","If we should fail--","First as I am his kinsman and his subject".
"We will proceed no further in this business."
When Macbeth says this to Lady Macbeth after she talks of plotting to kill Duncan , it is apparent he doesn't want to kill Duncan. Him saying basically to Lady Macbeth to stop talking shows he wants to put the idea of killing Duncan on hold. If he didn't have reservations about the murder of Duncan , he would be eager to speak more of Lady Macbeth's scheme.
"If we should fail--"
Macbeth saying "if we should fail" shows 2 ideas running through Duncan's mind. One is he thinks this plan has room for failure. This is the same Macbeth that "redoublely doubles" jabs into his enemies during war. Macbeth is fully capable of killing one person and he knows it- he wants to fail. Another idea is that he wants an alternative plan to become king. As shown in the beginning morality is shown not to be about kindness ,but about being loyal and brave. He knows that he became Thane of Cawdor because the former Thane of Cawdor wasn't loyal and he was. He doesn't want to be like the former Thane of Cawdor, a dead traitor.
"First as I am his kinsman and his subject"
By Macbeth to say that he is both Duncan's kinsman and subject shows that Macbeth feels a passion and obligation to protect Duncan. This line is very frank and sincere because Macbeth does not say something to the effect of "Duncan THINKS I am his kinsman and subject or I have DECIEVED Duncan into thinking I am his kinsman and subject." Also notice that Macbeth says "First" which shows that he may have a love deeper for Duncan than his own wife, Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth faces an internal conflict between his morals and his desire for power. Macbeth struggles with the idea of killing the king, but sometimes he runs into his selfish aspirations to be king and forgets what would be wrong with murder. In act I scene VII of Macbeth, we see Macbeth’s hesitance to act on his wishes for the king’s death. Macbeth begins the scene with the line, “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly” (p. 39 line: 1). Macbeth is very vague in this sentence and leaves the word “done” with an unclear meaning. His inability to be specific while talking about the murder shows that he isn’t fully comfortable with the idea. While he’s not sure that he likes the idea of the assassination, he is still considering it. The temptations of becoming king are too great to throw the idea out entirely. Macbeth later says, “But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d jump the life to come” (p. 39 line: 6) This is Macbeth’s brief contemplation of how he could live with with the murder. Macbeth thinks about the possibility of there being no judgement of the soul in the afterlife. Macbeth says, “We’d jump the life to come,” showing his uncertainty that there really is future judgement of the soul, and if not, he doesn’t feel the murder is as bad. He argues against his point in the next line by saying, “But in these cases we still have judgement here.” Macbeth is uncertain that he could deal with the guilt of murder in this life and is afraid of what it would do to him. He is starting to rule out the killing when he says, “He’s here in double trust” (p. 39 line: 12). Macbeth refers to his duties as a host and his and his duties as a kinsman. He continues to be tempted by power, though, because a few lines later he says, “Not bear the knife myself” (p. 39 line: 16) Macbeth almost shuts the door on the murder, but he opens it up a crack again by thinking he could get someone else to complete the murder. At this point in the story, it seems that the murder is wrong, and it almost all against it, but he still leaves a few holes for possibility. He gives himself a few options for backing up the murder because he so desperately wants more power.
ReplyDeleteIn act 1 scene 7, Macbeth faces the decision of whether to kill his king in cold blood and like become king himself, or to let the king live and remain Thane of Cawdor and Glamis. A line that shows what could be Macbeth's decision is "We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people." Macbeth recognizes that the King has honored him recently and appointed him thane of Cawdor. Macbeth has built a reputation that isn't worth spoiling to become king. Of course, in the end, Lady Macbeth and the thought of power win him over, and it seems that in 2.2 Macbeth has killed the king.
ReplyDeleteA line that points the other way is when Lady Macbeth says " Their drenched natures lie as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell?" Lady Macbeth challenges his manhood in these lines. She points out that she would be willing to kill the king, but Macbeth can't bring himself to do it. Also, she tries to convince him that the guards would be accused of the crime instead of Macbeth, so there won't be any consequence.
My last line is "I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know." At this point, it seems that he's been convinced that killing Duncan is the best thing that he can do. Here, it seems apparent that he will end up killing the king.
Macbeth is battling with his conscious constantly before the murder. Lady Macbeth urges him to kill the King, so she is similar to the devil sitting on one shoulder. I wonder whom or what is sitting upon his other shoulder, persisting Macbeth to stray away from the feat…Act 1. Scene 7, line 2 “If th’ assassination could trammel up the consequence and catch with his surcease, that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here.” It seems as though this quote implies Macbeth doesn’t want to give everything up due to one decision but, at the same time it might give him everything he ever wanted including the driving force, power. Act 1. Scene 7, line 95 “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” He knows in his heart that the murder is wrong however, he must ignore those pleas of resistance to fill his aches for supremacy. Act 1. Scene 7, line 51 “I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none.” Macbeth wants gain his position rightfully instead of murdering, an undesirable feat which will may make him closer to the immoral side of the scale. He regrets his actions both before and after the murder, which is intriguing, since I thought he would be satisfied and only a little off-kilter.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately for Duncan, he is murdered by Macbeth as we found out in Act 2 scene 2, but Macbeth had originally been against this idea.Three lines that support this idea are, "He's here in double trust: First as I am his kinsmen and his subject, strong both against the deed", "We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late", and "I am settled and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat." For lines 12-13, Macbeth admits that he is double crossing Duncan as I have interpreted. Also being Duncan's kinsmen and subject goes against committing this deed causing him to doubt this plan. With lines 34-35, Macbeth no longer wants to proceed with the business of the murder of Duncan by saying that they will proceed no further. Also he mentions how Duncan has honored him recently by giving him the title Thane of Cawdor. Finally in line 93, Macbeth states his mind his final and settled on the idea that this is a feat that is very bad and should not be committed. I believe Macbeth was against the murder the entire time, but Lady Macbeth twisted his mind. She challenged his manhood causing his weak mind and thirst for power overcome his true feelings for this sinful act.
ReplyDeleteMacbeth has accepted the death of Duncan and has, to somewhat preserve his morality in his mind, attempted to put Duncan's murder out of his conscience. Macbeth cannot be altogether happy with the situation either way and so to distance himself from his actions, he allows what he knows is wrong to happen anyways for his benefit. He wants to embody the hero, but he is fining out that the path to power is not as simple as it seemed and he is too cowardly to intercept non-valiant actions. When Macbeth says, "...We still have judgement here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor," Macbeth worries that because of his actions which are inevitable in his mind, may "return to plague" him. He's saying that though he is merely "teaching" the "bloody instructions," he still will feel the brunt of the consequence. This story deals with prediction and how it can seem to justify action; how distance from an action blinds us to morality. Macbeth than says, "[Duncan's] here in double trust; First as I'm both his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed..."His morality comes through and so I believe he doesn't truly wish to kill Duncan, although he feels as though it is out of his control at this point. He feels a certain duty and he seems to have an internal moral conflict, taking the easy way out. Then he says,"...this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels..."
ReplyDeleteThis could mean that Macbeth is trying to justify Duncan's murder in his mind by telling himself that Duncan was so good and that this means that he will go to heaven and live happier in the afterlife. He speaks of Duncan in the past tense as well, showing that he truly finds this act out of his control; he believes it's inevitable, therefore he does not wish himself to kill Duncan. He know's that it is immoral and wrong. He wants Duncan out of the way, but he doesn't want to kill him.
I believe that Macbeth does want to murder the king, but then he starts to realize that it would be horrible, and then he listens to Lady Macbeth's sinister advice. In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth says, "We'd jump the life to come." This interprets to, "risk the fate of my soul." He feels afraid to murder Duncan because he knows that it's wrong and that Duncan trusts him. It would be immoral to kill, but even more immoral if you kill somebody who trusts you very much. As I mentioned before, there are moments when Duncan knows that he needs to kill the king. For example, " I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none." In that line, Macbeth is showing how determined he is to kill Duncan. He believes he is a man, showing strength, power, and no fear. Another line where Macbeth seems afraid to murder Duncan is,"Besides,this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office." This line means that Duncan has exercised control in a fair, compassionate way. It seems as if Macbeth thinks that there is no need to kill Duncan, but we have to remember that he only wants to kill the king so that he could become the new king. Later on in Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth, "I am settled and bend u each corporal agent to this terrible feat." Macbeth is saying that he is determined and ready to kill Duncan, even though he understand that what he is about to do is commit a terrible crime.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading section 1:7, I believe that while Macbeth is tempted, he is against murdering Duncan. On page 39 he says, "First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then as his host, who should against his murder shut the door, not bear the knife myself." He recognizes how he would be misusing Duncan's trust as his friend, protector, and host. He says that since he has these relations with Duncan, he should close the door on the idea of murdering him. In the next line I have chosen, he says, "We will proceed no further in the business. He hath honored me of late," on page 41. Here he is telling Lady Macbeth that he does not want to murder Duncan because the king has honored him by making him Thane of Cawdor. This plainly shows how distraught he is about the idea of committing such a terrible crime. The final line I have chosen is also on page 40. Macbeth says, "I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none." Here he is stating that he only wants to do deeds that a good man should do. Then he says that if a man should do something immoral or that is below the character of a good man, he is not a man at all. This shows how he thinks that murder is beneath him, and is trying to get lady Macbeth to agree by saying she will strip him of his manhood. So even though we know that Macbeth does end up killing Duncan, he was never with Lady Macbeth in thinking it was the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it seems like the first passage in act 1 scene seven is Macbeth trying to convince himself that it would not be a good thing to kill Duncan. At this point he thinks it would be wrong to kill Duncan but he is trying to convince himself it is right because Lady Macbeth wanted it to be done. He says, “If the assassination could trammel up the consequences and catch with his surcease success, that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here.” This line is basically saying if murdering Duncan were the last thing he would do he would murder him. But because of the consequences he might not want to. In the line that states, “besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in this great office, that his virtues will plead like angels.” This is basically Macbeth saying to him that Duncan is a very good ruler and it would not be right to kill him. When he says, “ Upon the sightless couriers of the air, shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, that tears shall drown the wind.” Here he is saying that if any word gets out that Macbeth killed Duncan many people would be upset and Macbeth would have a lot of consequences. While in this essay I do say Macbeth doesn’t want to do it, eventually, he does it because Lady Macbeth is a more powerful character and convinced him to do it.
ReplyDelete"If th' assassination could trammel up the consequence and catch with his surcease success, that but this blow might be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we'd jump the life to come" Almost immediately, Macbeth addresses his main hesitation in killing Duncan--what will follow. He would love the life this sin would give him, and were it not for his fear of consequences, he would go after it at once. "But in these cases we still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being, taught, return to plague th' inventor." However, consequences are very real, as Macbeth acknowledges here, and it is few who escape them. Whatever you do, whatever immoral acts you commit, they'll come right back around to get you. It is the simple concept of revenge, whether it be spiritual, karmic, or just a person with a mind for justice. It is Macbeth's greatest fear concerning this plan. "This even-handed justice commends th' ingredient of our poisoned chalice to our own lips." Macbeth might as well go ahead and make this a murder-suicide, because if he doesn't even the score, someone else surely will. but ambition motivates him, and these lines do not really exhibit moments of a negative decision, but rather things he must accept as he carries on his crime. It's pretty much a given that he always intended to go through with the murder.
ReplyDeleteIn Macbeth’s soliloquy at the beginning of Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth is battling his options about whether or not to kill Duncan to become king. He talks about the fact that if the crime would be cleaned up without any consequences then he would do the deed to get it out of the way, but by doing the crimes he is teaching others that committing violence is okay. I think that Macbeth is still against the killing of Duncan by the end of his soliloquy, but by the end of the scene Lady Macbeth had convinced him to do the job. The first line I picked was Act 1.7 Lines 7-10 “But in these cases we still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor.” Here Macbeth is saying that he cannot do the deed because if he does, than karma will come back to plague him. He seems sure that he cannot and will not be the murderer to take Duncan out of his position as king. The second line I picked was Act 1.7 Lines 25-28 “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 seems to be saying that there is nothing that pushing him on to kill Duncan, just the slight ambition. But, since ambition does nothing except sets people up to fall on each other, he is probably thinking that he needs to get the ambition out of his bones. The third line I choose was Act 1.7 Lines 16-25 “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 cherubins, horsed upon the sightless couriers of the air, shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, that tears shall drown the wind.” I took this to mean that Duncan was such a great king. He did nothing wrong, from keeping his kingdom under control to being strong in his role. Macbeth might feel as though Duncan did nothing wrong and he doesn’t deserve to be killed.
ReplyDeleteMacbeth is definitely against the murder of Duncan. At the beginning of Act 1, scene 7, I think he is sort of telling himself all the reasons that he shouldn't murder Duncan. One line that supports this point is, "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." What he is saying is that he shouldn't "bear the knife," or kill Duncan, because he is his kinsman and his host, and the role of a host is to accept the guest into your home, not kill them in the middle of the night. Earlier he says, "We still have judgement here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague the inventor." He is saying that if he does it and people find out, he will be judged, and the fact that he committed murder will come back to haunt him. In another argument against murdering Duncan, he says, "...this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels... against the deep damnation of his taking-off..." He is explaining that Duncan was such a good and modest ruler, and these attributes are reasons why Macbeth should not kill him.
ReplyDeleteIn Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth is deciding whether it is a good or bad idea to kill Duncan. I think he's against the idea or second guessing it, until his wife comes into the picture and pressures him and starts insulting his manliness. During his address in the beginning of Act 1.7, he says, "Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the deep damnation of his taking-off" This quote shows that Duncan hasn't done anything to deserve to be murdered and in fact has been a good king. This makes it harder on Macbeth to think about killing Duncan. He uses language that depicts the king as someone who is innocent too. "First, as I am his kinsmen 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." In this he is saying that he is a man that is close to Duncan and should be the one protecting him and keeping murders away. He's saying he himself shouldn't be the murderer, that its not the right thing to do. "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent". Here he is saying that he doesn't even feel inclined to kill him and that nothing has provoked him to do such a thing like kill Duncan. It seems like Macbeth really isn't keen on killing Duncan. Later in the scene when Lady Macbeth arrives, its all about her pushing Macbeth into going through with it, which, in the end, alters him.
ReplyDeleteMacbeth finds the idea of murdering Duncan a good one. The mere thought of killing Duncan seems harmless to him, and a good idea. This is because he doesn’t think it is that hard, and he would gain a lot by becoming king, so all in all it would work out perfectly for him. After writing a letter to wife, he sees her for the first time, and sees how eager she is, and how readily she takes charge. I think he becomes surprised as he hears her, and maybe realizes how crazy the whole murder really is. Maybe they should take a step back. In scene 7, he expresses his concerns to his wife. I think that deep down he does not want to kill Duncan. As evidenced by these quotes:
ReplyDeleteMacbeth: “Hath he asked for me?”
Lady Macbeth: “Know you not he has?”
Macbeth obviously knows that the king will ask for him, because he is the “man of the night,” because he and Lady Macbeth are graciously hosting Duncan, and because of how bravely Macbeth fought in battle. Macbeth asks Lady Macbeth this question not because it is genuine, but because he feels guilty. He wants to know whether the king has asked for him so he can confirm something inside of him that this is a bad idea, because of how fine his and the king’s relationship is right now.
Macbeth: “If we should fail-“
Here, obviously, Macbeth is afraid to proceed because of how uncertain his success will be. It’s not even that Macbeth feels it is morally wrong in this statement, but that there is too much at risk, and they should just leave it at its current state.
Macbeth: “First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject….” This is similar to the first quote I chose. Macbeth realizes how strong their current relationship is, and how Duncan regards Macbeth as not only as a fine man but as his kin, his family. Macbeth is weighing the options. Yes, he would be king if he killed Duncan, but also, having strong ties with him as he does currently would be plenty sufficient.
Macbeth could be forever living comfortably with the idea of killing Duncan, but in reality, I don’t he could actually stomach/feel right about killing Duncan (even though he does.) Also, I feel that all those reasons above as valid, but deep down as just more excuses to cover up the fact that he does not want to ACTUALLY kill Duncan. I also think it is interesting how is he feels challenged morally by this idea of killing the king when he has brutally killed many during battle.
I don’t think that macbeth is sure if he wants to kill Duncan or not. He wants the power but he’s scared about killing him and the consequences. A great example of this is the first line, “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
ReplyDeleteIt were done quickly.” I think that this line shows that he wants the power so he needs to kill Duncan and the only way he will be able to do it is if he does it quickly so he cant rethink his dissision. After that he went on to say “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 the ingredients of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips.” I think that this was a way to show how he wasn't sure if he could get away with killing the king and he was scared to do so. This also shows another reason he is scared to kill him. He worries that if he kills the king people will learn that you can kill the king and in return kill him. Overall i think he cant decide if he wants to kill the king or not.
Macbeth didn't want to kill the king. He thought of four convincing arguments on why Duncan shouldn't be killed; one argument was selfish, two were moral, and one was thinking about not just him and Duncan, but how the kingdom as a whole would be effected. His first reason, a somewhat selfish one, came when he considered that he could accept the assasination if he wouldn't feel guilt after killing the king. He expressed this when he remarked, "we still have judgement here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th' inventor." His second and third reasons, moral reasons, come when he acknowledges, "he's here in double trust. First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his his host, who should against the murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself". I interpreted this statement to mean he has a moral obligation not to kill the king because Duncan thinks of Macbeth as a friend, and Duncan is also Macbeth's better. Additionally, Duncan is a guest in Macbeth's home, and it is common courtesy to be extremely polite to guests and protect them, and killing a guest would be doing neither. In Macbeth's final argument against killing Duncan, he thinks of the people of the kingdom and how they may be wronged. He thinks, "Duncan hath borne his facilities so meek, hath been so clear in his great office." Macbeth admits in this statement that Duncan has been a great leader, and killing him would be depriving all of his subjects of a great king. It is extremely interesting that even having thought of many reasons on many different levels not to kill Duncan, Macbeth kills him anyway.
ReplyDeleteI believe that throughout this scene, Macbeth begins to accept the idea of killing Duncan more and more. At the beginning of the scene, Macbeth describes his thoughts in a way that makes it seem as though he likes the idea of the murder but fears the consequences, such as in the line, "If the assassination Could trammel up the consequence and catch With his surcease success..." (1.7. 2-4). However, in lines 13-15, Macbeth shows more regret toward the murder: "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, And bear the knife myself." He seems in this line to be once again questioning himself and perhaps his morality. In line 34, he seems to have decided not to murder Duncan: "We will proceed no further in this business." Macbeth is still doubtful, even after some conversation with Lady Macbeth: "If we should fail--" (1.7.68). This line shows that he is yet to be convinced to side with his wife on the matter. He also is still quite unsure of the morality of his actions and afraid of the potential consequences.
ReplyDeleteAs the scene progresses, however, Lady Macbeth begins to further convince Macbeth to murder Duncan, until finally, he says, "I am settled and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. False face must hide what the false heart doth know." This line shows his decision as well as that deception is of importance to Macbeth. In conclusion, although Macbeth had been quite doubtful, Lady Macbeth manages to convince him to go through with the murder despite Macbeth's questioning of his own morality.
I think the macbeth is against the killing of their king, Duncan. "First I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed." (Pg 39, L 10) Macbeth is telling himself that he doesnt need to kill the king, that he is his friend and he needs to be strong against what his wife is telling to do."Who should against the murderer shut the door. Nor bear the knife myself" (Pg 39 L 15) He is saying that he will not support the killer and he will not kill Duncan himself. I think that Macbeth is a strong character and so far has pretty good morals."We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late..." (Pg 41, L 45) He is saying why kill the king, who has honored him and praised him. He has helped the king so much what is the point in killing him. I think Macbeth is loyal to the king, but Lady Macbeth just wanted the power she would have if Macbeth were the king.
ReplyDeleteTowards the end of his soliloquy, just before he is cut off by the presence of Lady MacBeth (a very fitting detail), MacBeth reaches the true crux of his situation with regard to the murder of King Duncan. He soliloquizes to himself, “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on the other –“ I believe this is the telltale line explaining the true motivation and intentions of MacBeth. The metaphorical horse he is referring to is his intent and the spurs, ambition. MacBeth believes he is killing Duncan only because of his ambition, and yet, he is terrified of it. Throughout his soliloquy, MacBeth speaks of guilt, retribution and kinship. He sounds as though he is very much against killing king Duncan but still remains adamant that his ambition is driving him to do so. MacBeth’s internal inconsistency puts the true nature of his ambition into question. Questions concerning the intent of MacBeth’s ambition only become more heightened on line fifty-six from Act 1 Scene 7, when Lady MacBeth goads her husband into completing his task, saying, “When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more what you were, you would be so much more the man.” This, along with line sixty-three, when Lady MacBeth says, “How tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out.” lead me to believe that the ‘ambition’ MacBeth credits his wrongdoings to, are not his own.
ReplyDeleteI believe Macbeth might have been against killing Duncan, but plans on doing it anyway due to pressure from his wife, heat of the moment, or adrenaline, but mainly pressure from his wife. "If it were done when tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly" Act 1.7, line 1. Macbeth seems to be saying that if it had to happen, it would be best if it were done quickly and painlessly. If Macbeth was really 100% set on killing Duncan, he wouldn't have said "If it were done," he would just simply have done it. " He's here in double trust: First, 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." Act 1.7, line 12. In this passage Macbeth seems to be listing reasons why he should not kill Duncan. First, he is his family, he is a loyal (perhaps at one point) subject, and on top of that he is the he is supposed to be the host of the party where he intends to kill Duncan. "Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will please like angels, trumpet tongued, against the deep damnation of his taking-off." Act 1.7, line 16. This passage is talking about how Duncan is a genuinely good person, and really doesn't deserve to die. He even compares his virtues to that of angels, so Macbeth knows he is planning on killing a perfectly innocent man. Lady Macbeth must be persuasive as hell.
ReplyDeleteMacbeth has two powerful forces influencing his decision: his own mind and his wife. As a warrior, he's accustomed to killing traitors and rebels. However, this plan involves murdering a trusted friend to gain power. On page 39 line 8, Macbeth says, "We still have judgement here, that we but teach bloody instructions which, being taught, return to plague th' inventor. This even-handed justice commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own lips," (Shakespeare 39). From my understanding, Macbeth is either considering the aspects of karma or getting caught. If he wrongfully murders Duncan, external forces (such as God) can punish him in the afterlife. Also, if he gets caught assassinating the king, his punishment would be severe, He claimed that "he would not bear the knife himself" (line 16), so his "bloodied instructions" refers to the idea of ordering someone else to perform the murder. However, by giving such commands, he would face the consequences. The poisoned chalice would return to his lips. These paranoid thoughts suggest that he's not particularly comfortable killing Duncan. He also displays his discomfort when he suggest failing in line 68: "If we should fail-" (Shakespeare 43). He's considering the punishments he would receive for murdering the king, and how failure in such a task would ruin his life. Macbeth is also uncomfortable with betraying a trusted friend. In line 13, he says, "First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, both against the deed;...Besides, hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels..." (Shakespeare 39). Macbeth recalls how loyal he is to Duncan, and how great and gentle Duncan is as the king. Macbeth has a powerful connection to the king, and murdering him would end the life of an effective king and loyal friend. While his wife continues to persuade him, Macbeth doesn't want to perform the assassination. His morals and emotions prevent him from performing the task, but his persistent wife continues to convince him.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Act 1, Scene 7, I believe that Macbeth does not want to kill Duncan. I think that it is tempting for Macbeth like when he says, "If we should fail-." But I think he does not want to kill Duncan. The lines that most showed this to me where when Macbeth said to Lady Macbeth, "We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people, which would be worn now in their newest gloss not cast aside so soon"(Macbeth 1.7 line 34-38). I believe that from these lines, that Macbeth is hesitant towards killing Duncan and that maybe if it were easier, he would be more willing. I do however, thin that Lady Macbeth will soon convince him to carry out the killing.
ReplyDelete