Soliloquies Flashcards
‘Horrid image that doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs.’
Emphasises Macbeth’s doubt and worry about the idea of murdering Duncan.
‘Should to his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself.’
Weighing up the consequences and reasoning for the possible murder of Duncan.
‘Hath born his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office.’
Macbeth stating what a great king Duncan was and how he shouldn’t kill him.
‘the tears will drown the wind’
Hyperbolic metaphor showing how Macbeth believes he shouldn’t kill Duncan.
‘Or art thou a false creation, proceeding from my heat-oppressed brain?’
Showing ow Macbeth realises the dagger is a figment of his imagination.
‘Hear it not Duncan, for it is a knell, that summons thee to heaven or hell.’
Rhyming couplet shows Macbeth’s defiance about the murder he is just about to commit.
‘Unto my head they placed a fruitless crown’
Use of metaphor shows how Macbeth is defiant that Banquo’s children will take his crown
‘Put rancours in the vessel of my peace’
Banquo’s children inheriting the crown has ruined Macbeth’s work to gain the crown.
‘Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow… until the last syllable of recorded time’
Repetition shows look of structure to his thoughts and he is processing the events
‘All of our yesterdays have lighted fools’
Shows how the past is pointless as life can end so quickly.
‘Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player… a tale told by an idiot’
Personification of ‘Life’ to show how pointless it is as everyone just dies at the end of it. Serious and depressing tone.
‘Signifying nothing’
Shows he’s lost hope with life
