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Examples Of Macbeth Monologue

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Words 417
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Abd Elabd
Mrs.Johnson-Smith
English 3 AP, 2nd Period
April 18, 2016
Macbeth Monologue Explication, 1.3.140-55 Macbeth begins this monologue by proclaiming that, thus far, two of the witches’ prophecies are truth - himself being Thane of Glamis and becoming Thane of Cawdor -, and that both lead toward the manifestation of the third prophecy: Macbeth becoming king. Next, comes an aside in which Macbeth thanks Ross and Angus for delivering the King’s message to Macbeth. Macbeth then returns to his original speech and notes that this prophecy cannot be good, but cannot be bad either (an allusion to the “fair is foul and foul is fair” theme of the play). He wonders: how could a prophecy that promises him so much success be evil or bad? At the same time, how could a “good” prophecy conjure so many evil thoughts in his head of murdering King Duncan (implied) and stepping to the throne himself? …show more content…
On a deeper level, Macbeth is asking himself if the materialization of the prophecy, including Duncan’s murder and Macbeth’s kingship, would be a good or bad thing. In essence, what is the right thing for him to do? Ignore the prophecy, or kill Duncan and make it come true? Such is Macbeth’s internal conflict.
Shakespeare makes good use of imagery to give depth to this conflict by demonstrating just how appalled Macbeth is by the thought of killing Duncan. The images he has in his head “unfix (his) hair And make (his) seated heart knock at (his ribs).” (1.3.148-49). In other words, Macbeth’s hair stands on end and his heart beats vigorously inside his chest. Macbeth then ends this monologue on a dramatic note: fears and worries that trouble him at the present time still do not frighten him as much as his thoughts of killing Duncan

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