Act 1 Scene 7. What is the importance of persuasion in the scene? How does Shakespeare make the scene appeal to the audience? The importance of the scene is that Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan

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Jayne Stupple

Act 1 Scene 7. What is the importance of persuasion in the scene?  How does Shakespeare make the scene appeal to the audience?

The importance of the scene is that Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan. In Macbeth's soliloquy he agonises with his conscience over killing Duncan. However Macbeth's mad ambition will be his downfall. Scene 7 is crucial to the rest of the plot as it sets the play in motion.  Shakespeare attracts the audience's attention through his use of imagery; changes in pace, to maintain atmosphere and tension; rich language, and contemporary references. Throughout Act 1 Shakespeare introduces us to the the characters and the central conflicts of the play

        Shakespeare uses Act 1 scene 7 to show his audience the dimensions to Macbeth's character. Shakespeare has shown his audience that deep down Macbeth does have a conscience. In Macbeth's soliloquy Shakespeare uses rhythm, repetition and alliteration, "if it were done" "tis done" "if it were done quickly" the use of "it" being a pronoun as Macbeth cannot bring himself to use the word "kill" - a noun.  He begins, trying to persuade himself that if the killing of Duncan had no consequence he could do it. "If th'assassination could trammel up the consequence and catch with his surcease, success."  However he then begins to see there are many reasons he should not go ahead with the murder.  "We'd jump the life to come."  During this period people believed they would be judged in the afterlife for the sins they committed on earth. He continues, "this even- handed justice commends th'ingredience of our poisoned chalice to our lips" Here Shakespeare uses a metaphor, the sins you commit will return unto you,  this being Macbeth's fate at the end of the play. "so clear in his  

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        2                                Jayne Stupple

great office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet- tongued." With the personification of his virtues Shakespeare has used imagery well. The audience would have been of the opinion that this would have been a sin to take the life of such a noble man.  Shakespeare's use of language with alliteration and similes gives even more power to this violent act against this honourable king.  "That tears shall drown the wind". Macbeth is aware of the universal grief and eternal damnation that will be the result of Duncan's murder.  The only reason he can give for the killing ...

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