Macbeth's Last Soliloquy

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These lines, from Macbeth’s “be-all and end-all” soliloquy, take place early on in Macbeth: Macbeth, the eponymous tragic hero, has heard the witches’ prophecy that he will become king and spoken to Lady Macbeth, before being informed that King Duncan has just arrived to the Macbeth’s home. This excerpt from Macbeth’s soliloquy portrays the moral values that make him hesitate to kill the King. Macbeth wonders if killing Duncan is the only thing necessary to end all that he must endure before he is made king, the “be-all and end-all” (1.7.5). However, Macbeth knows there could be consequences, both in this life – "upon this bank and shoal of time" – and in the "life to come” (1.7.6-7). Yet he'd "jump", or risk the damage to his soul in the afterlife, if he could be sure of immediate success here and now (1.7.7). …show more content…

He acknowledges that he will face judgment – internally, at least– should he continue with the crime (1.7.8). Likening life to an ocean in this metaphor in the lines “upon this bank and shoal of time”, Macbeth is emphasizing the vastness of life and the hereafter – and, consequently, the length of time he will have to live with these consequences of his actions (1.7.6). And with this, Macbeth begins to have misgivings about the plan to assassinate Duncan. This soliloquy has dark imagery: “bloody instructions,” and a “poisoned chalice,” which further suggests that Macbeth is aware of how the murder would open the door to a dark and sinful world (1.7.9-11). In fact, he calls Duncan’s death a “deep damnation” (1.7.20). This is one of the first moments we see Macbeth’s inner conflict; his morality waging war with his

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