Macbeth Soliloquy Analysis

The tempting feeling of reaching out for another cookie after devouring your fifth one makes one feel anxious and uncontrollable. A human’s desire for a particular thing can either balance or tip over their humanity. In the courses of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, explores how the desire for power causes ambitious to grow from unmerciful to unforgiving, which then leads onto the main character, Macbeth’s corruption. Macbeth’s honorable and loyal figure in the beginning of the play goes to wasted as he becomes blinded by the mindset of not settling for more.
Often times, humans do not realize how great of an impact their desires are for ambition until they see the outcome of it. The phrase, “you gain some, you lose some” strictly attacks how one’s

yearning for more ambition affects them in the long run. In the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare reveals how Macbeth's strong craving for power begins to clog up his mind with evil and dark thoughts, Macbeth exclaims,“The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step / On which I must fall down / Stars, hide your fires / Let not light see my black and deep desires/ Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see” (i.iv 55-60). In this scene, Macbeth makes it clear that he is aware of how “black and deep” his desires are and wishes that the stars would not shed light on them. Furthermore, this scene demonstrates how quickly and easily the desires for ambition can change one’s human nature. Another example that supports Macbeth’s drastic character change was when he continuously fed onto the three wicked witches’ and his wife’s twisted words. After hearing the witches’ prophecies and a series of contemplation on whether it was reasonable to murder King Duncan in order to achieve his ambition, Macbeth utters, “If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well/ It were done quickly. If th' assassination / Could trammel up the consequence / We'd jump the life to come” (i. vii 1-7). What Macbeth is trying to imply in this scene is that killing Duncan is simple and easy task, however the consequences that is set upon his present and afterlife is unpredictable. Despite being aware of what will happen to him if he commits this murderous act, Macbeth quotes that as long as he fulfills his great desire for power, he does not mind the consequences that come in the long run.
The takeover ambition can do with one’s mind is limitless and may turn their innocent being to ruthless within a matter of time.

The kind of ambition Shakespeare emphasizes in his play carefully follows up on the unmerciful acts Macbeth commits and what circulates in his not - so - pure mind. A soliloquy that digs into the changes in Macbeth’s character was when Macbeth quotes, “From this moment; The very firstlings of my heart shall be / To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done… The castle of Macduff I will surprise / Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword; His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line” (iv. i 150-160). Previously during his second encounter with the witches, Macbeth was given a mirror in which he sees Banquo, along with eight other men standing before him and claims that this was a “horrible sight.” Furious, Macbeth states that he will act quickly based on his thoughts and will eliminate anyone who he believes will take his position.Because of his this corrupted and fearful mindset, he send out orders to assassinate Macduff’s family. Another quote, “Come, seeling night / Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day / Good things of day begin to droop and drowse / Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do rouse” (iii. Ii 48-55). As Macbeth and Lady Macbeth converse, Macbeth spills out how excited he is for the night of Banquo’s death to occur. It is important to note that not only are Macbeth’s actions

despicable and unforgiving, however his desires slowly get worse and worse as the story progresses .
The realization of guilt and regret worsens as one begins to reach to the peak of their corruption.

Macbeth’s remorse of all the atrocious acts he has committed made him grasp the conclusion that there was no way of turning back. Before heading out to war, Macbeth whispers to himself as Seyton follows up on where the women´s scream came from, ¨I have almost forgot the taste of fears / To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair / Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir / As life were in ’t. I have supped full with horrors / Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts¨ (v. v 9-15). What Macbeth is trying to say is that he’s been through worse - murder, and is not taunted by anything. In this particular scene, we can see how Macbeth’s character severely changes throughout the play - all because of this strong, unstoppable desire for power. Another piece of evidence that shows Macbeth’s remorse was after he received news about Lady Macbeth’s death, ¨She should have died hereafter / There would have been a time for such a word / Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player / It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury / Signifying nothing.” (v. v 17-28). What Shakespeare wants his readers to get ahold of in this scene is Macbeth’s reaction when he hears about Lady Macbeth’s suicide. Macbeth comprehends all the horrible deeds he has done to get to where he is now and realizes that it was completely

meaningless.
Hence, all humans naturally possess an uncontrollable and deep desire for something that will affect their humanity. As our desires grow, it naturally fuels our ambition and prevents us from seeing the limit of our boundaries. So the next time you are tempted to grasp a few more of fresh cookies, keep in mind that it is safer to settle for just the right amount.