Act 1 Scene 7

Act 1 Scene 7

1. Macbeth's soliloquy

   • He is, unlike Lady Macbeth, aware of the consequences of killing Duncan
     • 'plague the inventor'
       • 'poisoned chalice'
         • Idea of REVENGE
           • fears- earthly consequences as well
       • our own ideas backfire
   • He again uses euphemisms
     • Refers to the murder as 'it' - knows it is immoral- shame
   • STRUCTURE
     • Long list of reasons why he should not kill Duncan
       • Only one reason for- his ambition
   • - He is Duncan's subject and host - so should be protecting him, loyal
     • 'shut the door, not bear the knife myself'
   • Acknowledges that Duncan is a good man, - undeserving victim
     • 'his faculties so meek'
       • IMAGERY OF HEAVEN
         • 'Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued..'
           • simile
             • Angels in heaven will reject
               • Heaven itself will abhor the deed
                 • Not just earthly consequences
                   • 'heaven's cherubin'
                     • child innocence - reflects Duncan's good/pure virtues
                     • 'like a naked newborn babe'
             • Loud trumpet- heralding the news of his murder
         • 'tears shall drown the wind'
           • heavenly disapproval
           • Everyone shall feel sorrow/ sadness
   • 'but only vaulting ambition'
     • Self interest/ gain

2. Macbeth struggles with his conscience

   • There are compelling reasons against the murder - only ambitions spurs him on
     • Macbeth decides not to kill Duncan
       • Lady Macbeth accuses him of cowardice
         • Eventually Macbeth agrees to her plan

3. Lady Macbeth's persuasive techniques

   • Vivid violent imagery ' plucked my nipple from his boneless gums '
     • 'dashed the brains out'
       • violent verbs 'plucked' and 'dashed'
         • sudden/abrupt- her harsh nature
           • Contrast between the soft gentle images
     • The breast-feeding maternal image- motherly image -
   • 'Like the poor cat in th'adage'
     • simile- weak - unmanly, cowardly image
       • she is shaming and mocking him
     • pathetic portrayal of the cat
   • Moral blackmail
     • 'From this time such I account thy love'
   • bombarding him with questions
     • 'Was the hope drunk..?
     • 'Wakes now to look so pale and green'
       • emasculating him again
   • 'thou'/ 'thine'
     • Talking down to him- she is taking authority/ control
       • 'you would be so much more the man'
         • Switches to the more respectable form 'you'
           • describing what he could be -persuasion
         • 'more'
           • repetition
   • 'What beast was't then...?
     • harsh sounds in her words
       • destructive nature
     • 'break'
   • But screw your courage..and we'll not fail'
     • verb 'screw'
       • tightening- getting everything ready
     • monosyllabic- readiness/confidence