Doubt in Macbeth
Doubt in Macbeth
The play Macbeth contains doubt in many different ways. In the beginning of the play, we are struck by a very insecure Macbeth. He is indeed curious about what would happen if he were to take Duncan’s place and become the king of Scotland.
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here,
But here upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions which, being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against
The deep damnation of his taking-off,
And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself
And falls on th’other.
(1.7.1-28)
We find Macbeth really struggling whether to kill Duncan is the right thing to do or not. He does feel that murdering a man is a great sin, and the fact that this man, Duncan, is someone who trusts him, and also someone that Macbeth himself has showed loyalty to, makes it even worse. /I am his kinsman and his subject/ (1.7.14). Even though this is the case, Macbeth is not completely reluctant towards the
The play Macbeth contains doubt in many different ways. In the beginning of the play, we are struck by a very insecure Macbeth. He is indeed curious about what would happen if he were to take Duncan’s place and become the king of Scotland.
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here,
But here upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions which, being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against
The deep damnation of his taking-off,
And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself
And falls on th’other.
(1.7.1-28)
We find Macbeth really struggling whether to kill Duncan is the right thing to do or not. He does feel that murdering a man is a great sin, and the fact that this man, Duncan, is someone who trusts him, and also someone that Macbeth himself has showed loyalty to, makes it even worse. /I am his kinsman and his subject/ (1.7.14). Even though this is the case, Macbeth is not completely reluctant towards the