Explain how Shakespeare uses soliloquies to develop the character of Macbeth.

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English and English literature Coursework – Shakespeare        22/10/02

Explain how Shakespeare uses soliloquies to develop the character of Macbeth.

Shakespeare uses soliloquies to give us an insight as to what Macbeth is thinking, it his un-edited thoughts and opinion that he is not saying to anyone else. As Shakespeare does not use a narrator who can explain what Macbeth really thinks, it is especially important for Macbeth that he uses soliloquies, as he is such a complex character, his entire personality changes throughout the course of the play. There are 7 important soliloquies that he uses in Macbeth, these allow us a window directly into his thoughts and emotions. Without them, we would only know as much as the other characters in the play who do not and are not meant to hear them

        The first soliloquy of importance comes straight after Macbeth hears the witches’ predictions. This soliloquy shows that obviously, something is troubling Macbeth, there are two questions he asks himself about why he is feeling the way he does. After hearing the predictions that he is Thane of Cawdor and king to be, he believes that the second of these will come true as Ross and Angus arrive to announce the king’s conference that Macbeth is the Thane of Cawdor. His immediate reaction to this is that to become king, Macbeth will have to do something underhand to become king as the present king is alive and healthy and has two sons in line for the throne. He is clearly uncomfortable about doing anything dishonourable, especially as he has just been given a new title by the king. Revealing a deeply disturbed mind, Macbeth seems attracted to the predictions of these dark creatures, he is surprised at himself that he is considering murdering Duncan and is scared of the effect that these witches have had on his mind. He knows that the next prediction is inevitable because of what the witches have said, this scene shows that Macbeth truly has potential for greatness, he is unsure whether the predictions are good or bad, and this is portrayed in his thinking as he questions himself.

        The second significant soliloquy comes after Malcolm is pronounced Prince of Cumberland, and, therefore heir to the throne. He acknowledges that Malcolm is an obstacle, one that he must either defeat, or give up on his dreams of becoming king ‘The prince of Cumberland, it is a step on which I must fall down or else o’erleap’. Macbeth knows straight away that in order for his prediction to come true, he must kill Malcolm, and he calls upon darkness to cover up his thoughts from the heavens ‘Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires’. The fact that Macbeth is giving this idea some serious thought on how to become king increasingly shows that he is considering killing Duncan.

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        The third soliloquy, and possibly the most important shows us that Macbeth knows, quite clearly what the consequences will be of murdering Duncan. He says ‘ We’d jump the life to come’ this shows quite clearly that Macbeth is willing to sacrifice the afterlife for greatness, now, in this life. He then says ‘But in these cases, we’d still have judgement here that we but teach bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague th’inventor.’ Macbeth knows very well that there will be consequences in this life still to come, after the murder. He may be found guilty of killing ...

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