Macbeth and Lady Macbeth see that the murder of Duncan is the next step needed to be taken for the
throne. Macbeth says, "Each corporal agent to this terrible eat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know" This quote exhibits an extremely Machiavellian ideal that one must be, externally, the advocate of all that is good and truth but, internally, the greatest enemy of both. As Shakespeare shows Macbeth to have a Machiavellian human nature, what does this tell about Macbeth's nature?
WAIT i meant at the end "what does this passage tell us of what his true motives were as he decided to kill Duncan."
ReplyDeleteWell, his motives are laid out clearly: he does not want to defy fate. And, when it comes down to it, he wants to be king. This passage seems to demonstrate his justification for killing Duncan: if you want to make an omelet, you have to make some eggs. I.e., in order to become king, he /has/ to take out Duncan.
ReplyDeleteI believe Macbeth's motive to murder Duncan was power. He is willing to do anything to obtain it, even comit treason. He justifies his crime through the prophecy, not wanting to defy fate.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what David said. But not only does Mcbeth use the prophecy to justify his action, he also uses it as a scapegoat. This, combined with the forces around him pushing him to kill Duncan, mask the fact that it was his mind that considered the idea, and that overall he was just as corrupt as the forces around him.
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