IB - Act 1, scene 7

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Macbeth Soliloquy Act 1 - scene 7

Stage directions

Directions to the company performing a play as to what’s happening around the drama, who’s on the stage and who isn’t, when they arrive, when they leave, where they are on the stage, when music should be played, bugles sounded, and so on.

Macbeth castle, near the dining hall. Torches indicate that it is evening. ...

1. Can you think of the reason why Shakespeare wrote this in the stage directions?

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well

It were done quickly.

1. Paraphrase this sentence in you own words
2. Look at/listen to the words, what do they have in common?
3. What is the function of the use of repetition in this sentence?

If the assassination

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch,

What?

With his surcease, success, that but this blow

Might be the be-all and the end-all here —

1. Surcease (comes from cease), success is an example of wordplay, explain why. 
2. The be-all and the end-all is an expression that we still use, what do you think it means?

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We'd jump the life to come.

1. In this case Bank and shoal is used as a metaphor. For what?
2. This metaphor links to one of the previous words, which one?
3. There is also a metaphor that can be linked to horses, like...?

= shallow part of the ocean

Assignment

In the remainder of the soliloquy find examples of metaphors and imagery.

Highlight them and explain what they mean.  

Imagery

Imagery is language that appeals to the five senses.

An author uses sensory details to appeal to readers' senses. In turn, readers form images in their minds.

Individual images and imagery (a collection of images) leads the reader to the work's meaning.

 

Metaphors

A figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison.

Used to make the subject more relatable to the reader or to make a complex thought easier to understand.

Biblical imagery #1

Macbeth: If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well

It were done quickly (1.7.1)

Commentary: Within this passage is a clear reference to the words spoken by Jesus to Judas in John 13.27: "That thou doest, do quickly." Macbeth is painfully aware of his bond with Judas.

Biblical Imagery #2

Macbeth: But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague the inventor: (1.7.8-11)

Commentary: Macbeth's speech reflects the common biblical theme known best by the passage from Galatians 6.7: "Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for what so ever a man soeth, that shall he also reap". The theme is continued in Job 4.8: "They that plow iniquity and sow wickedness, reap the same"; and in Wisdom of Solomon 11.13: "Wherewith a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished."

Macbeth: I have no spur

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself (1.7.25-7)

Commentary: The "vaulting ambition" to which Macbeth refers is the pride so condemned in the Bible. In Matthew 23.12 we read: "For whosoever will exault himself, shall be brought low"; and in Proverbs 29.23 we read: "The pride of a man shall bring him low". Proverbs 16.18 tells us that: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a high mind before the fall."

Biblical Imagery #3

Macbeth: I have no spur

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself (1.7.25-7)

Commentary: The "vaulting ambition" to which Macbeth refers is the pride so condemned in the Bible. In Matthew 23.12 we read: "For whosoever will exault himself, shall be brought low"; and in Proverbs 29.23 we read: "The pride of a man shall bring him low". Proverbs 16.18 tells us that: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a high mind before the fall."