ACT 1 SCENE 7 ANNOTATION

In this annotation, the original text is displayed in the first column; the highlighted words are what the
text in the second column is referring to.
Before we are faced with Macbeths soliloquy, in act I scene VII, an encounter with the three witches
inform Macbeth of the prophecy that Macbeth will become King, the value of masculinity Is explored,
Lady Macbeths beliefs of Manhood being defined by murder, throughout the play, where Macbeth is
unsure, his wife implies he is less of a man.
























Hautboys. Torches.
Enter a sewer and
divers servants
with dishes and
service over the
stage. Then enter
MACBETH
{A hautboy is an instrument similar to the oboe, this inclusion of this (plural) in conjunction
with the entrance of a sewer, or a waitress implies that there is a gathering in the castle,
perhaps for Duncan. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are hosting a party for Duncan,
foreshadowing the irony of the opening line, where there is reference to murder.
If it were done
when tis done,
then twere well
This opening line to Macbeth soliloquy later evolves into the duologue
(conversation) with Lady Macbeth. The imagery Macbeths character is creating,
reveals his intentions to kill King Duncan in order become King himself, the
audience or reader knows this as through this soliloquy he is able to share his
thoughts on stage, informing only the audience and no other characters of where
is mind is at. The it in this line is referring to the deed as it has been previously
described as, or the murder of King Duncan that Macbeth is clearly pondering
about. Ironically twisted, assuming Macbeth is attending a function for Duncan
(see A1), and at the same time contemplating Duncans murder.
His human compass is being overridden by determination and inspiration to
become King. This fortitude has been previously brewing from the encounter with
the witches, as they revealed the prophecy of Macbeth becoming thane of
Cawdor (King). This ideology foreshadows the introduction of Lady Macbeths
character also having somewhat influence on Macbeths decision to commit the
murder.
This line explains Macbeths perspective on the matter, displaying his beliefs, that if
the murder were done when it was done, then that would be it and twere well
(all would be well and good), It would be simple if all he had to do was murder the
current to king to take his place. However this is not the case, there are
consequences as Macbeth later identifies, hence the if, (Where Macbeth shares
his wonders in his first breath of the soliloquy)

It were done
quickly. If the
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,

This metaphorical language is used to add interest to the play, Macbeths frame of mind is
at stage where he imagines the assassination acting like a net, if it could trammel up the
consequence it would remove all repercussions. This reinforces this idea introduced in the
opening line(refer to A1), "if it were done when 'tis done"

Alliteration is evident within the words surcease success, they reinforce the idea of the
assassination working like a net, that with the murder, all consequence would be
banished, but it is not that easy, and with his surcease success, the

Through the two ideas against each other in these words, paradoxical language is also
apparent in conjunction with alliteration. The paradox in this comes from the idea of
success being surceased

But here, upon this
bank and shoal of
time,

Visual imagery is created through this metaphor, comparing this moment to a "bank and
shoal of time" the imagery of the "shoal" or sandbar depicts the suggested isolation
Macbeth feels in making the decision. This form of creative language describes a scene
which allows the reader to see what the composer (writer) is describing, therefore
making the language of a visual imagery technique.

Wed jump the life
to come. But in
these cases

Here Shakespeare has included the metaphor of jumping over "the life to come". Meaning
that Macbeth would jump or skip the future, (the life to come. this is metaphorical as
you cannot physically jump over an assumed or believed life to come, you cannot jump
over time it self) He would leap over this metaphorical ocean of consequence and
repercussion he has previously described using visual imagery in the line before, from the
"shoal" he looks over the ocean of "time". This "time" Macbeth tells the audience turns out
to be the "life to come" as cleared up here.
This contextual reference to afterlife may be influenced by Shakespeare's Anglican beliefs,
the afterlife referring to heaven.





We still have
judgment here,
that we but teach

Contextual reference to Elizabethan era in religious form, more specifically, Catholicism.
(possibly influenced by Shakespeares Anglican beliefs at the time of writing the play) This
statement suggests the "judgement to be of Gods, this contextual reference to
naturalisation informs us that for Macbeth to commit a murder, he would be committing a
murder of God. For the murder of Duncan would be a murder against the Lord, hence him
having "judgement here".

Bloody
instructions, which,
being taught,
return
To plague th'
inventor:
This idea introduced to the audience informs them how Macbeth is thinking, it is at this
stage where he is disapproving of his own thoughts, providing the 'cons' to the audience
(saying why he should not commit the murder) the reasons for Macbeth leaning further
towards not taking action to murder, being that he would be a terrible leader and if one
were to teach the "bloody instructions" (literally bloody) the 'students' he is teaching
(whether they be adults or children, directed at adults capable of committing a crime)

this even-handed
justice

This personification of justice being even-handed symbolises the equity of justice to all.

Commends the
ingredients of our
poisoned chalice
To our own lips.
Hes here in
double trust:
First, as I am his
kinsman and his
subject,

Ambiguity Shakespeare has both the ideas of double and two faced

Double trust reflects the common saying a double edged sword the idea of that a King
should be confident that his Cousin (Kinsman) and Loyal Subject ( Thane) should stand
against any enemy - in other words he is doubly trusted.
Strong both
against the deed;
then, as his host,
Who should
against his
murderer shut the
door,

Here Macbeth expresses that metaphorically he should be shutting a door, creating a
barrier between whoever wants to harm or murder Duncan. This feeling of obligatory
protection comes from the friendship previously formed and explored between the two,
this being the reason he is "against the deed". At this stage of Macbeths soliloquy he
shares with us the reasons as to why he is, or why he should be "against the deed".

Not bear the knife
myself. Besides,
this Duncan

For Macbeth to not bear the knife himself, leaves the audience with numerous ways of
interpretation, this could mean that as Duncans friend, he should never "bear the knife" or
hold a knife to him, it may also be implying that he wants Duncan dead, but does not
have the heart to do so himself.

Hath borne his
faculties so meek,
hath been
So clear in his
great office, that
his virtues
his referring to the King Duncans great office or large office. This depicts the idea of
Duncan being a clear and transparent King for someone who Serves God well not a
King who is corrupt or evil. Duncan is described as meek thus he is humble and kind in
his actions and not deserving of such a heinous act against him.

Will plead like
angels, trumpet-
tongued, against
Simile representing the way that if Duncan dies, his plead will be angelic, hence the use of
the word angels. This depicts the imagery of a peaceful way of pleading, with grace
and manner, all characteristics associated with angels are what Shakespeare chose the
audience to see in Macbeth, this sophisticated irony opposes the actions Macbeth will
partake in. (the murder he commits later, and the continuous murdering in order to
eliminate all consequences that other characters have the power to create)

The plead is described as being trumpet tongued the composer has personified the
plead in a metaphorical sense as a plead does not have a tongue, it is the person whos
tongue commits the plead, yet it still cannot be "trumpet tongued" this metaphor of a
tongue holding characteristics of a trumpet (ie loud and noisy) again adds interest to the
play (if it was lacking any as it is)


Lady Macbeth later goes on to manipulate her husband into committing the murder of King Duncan,
the ambition that first drove Macbeth to consider in solely carrying out this evil deed, had caught onto
his wife. She attempts to persuade Macbeth into murdering Duncan in this scene, and later proves
successful. Lady Macbeths ambition was to achieve power, she had greed and wished for wealth, she
had the ability to manipulate her husband into committing the deed; she accuses him of being
cowardly and unmanly, if he does not murder King Duncan. By Lady Macbeth manipulating her
husband, she goes against the typical Elizabethan lady, her character is opposite to the expected
etiquette of a lady at this time.
It is not until Act 2 scene 2 when Macbeth murders Duncan, using daggers (small knives), he does this
when the guards are sleeping in the chamber of the castle. Stunned at his own actions, he cannot
unhinge himself from the act, Lady Macbeth planned to frame the servants, yet Macbeth walks back
to Lady Macbeth in the night, with his hands covered in blood, still clasping to the daggers. Lady
Macbeth further takes control, taking the daggers from Macbeth and placing them near the guards,
as well as smearing the blood on them, therefore framing the guards into committing the murder of
King Duncan. In this age, it is ironic to when Lady Macbeth told her husband that if he didnt kill
Duncan, he would be a coward, but he is in no way manly to kill King Duncan in his sleep, it can be
perceived the same way as killing a person without looking, or identifying yourself.

The deep
damnation of his
taking-off;
And pity, like a
naked newborn
babe,

Simile of his pity being like a newborn babe, implies that Macbeths pity would be a soft
rarity, new and vulnerable like a newborn baby is.

Striding the blast,
or heavens
cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless
couriers of the air,
This reference to the hierarchy of the angles is depicted through heavens cherubim
meaning the order of the angels in heaven , this allusion creates visual imagery of how the
heavens are portrayed, this contextual reference to the natural order of heaven and hell
suggests the

Shall blow the
horrid deed in
every eye,
That tears shall
drown the wind. I
have no spur


This personification of tears having the ability to drown a wind, is used to create a
To prick the sides
of my intent, but
only
Vaulting ambition,
which o'erleaps
itself

This metaphorical language demonstrates Macbeths inability to be interrupted from his
determination on the outside with ambition that he is unable to be pricked He is so
consumed with vaulting ambition that nothing can get in the way of what his intentions
are, this being to kill Kind Duncan. Macbeths intent is being represented as being rock
solid, with an inability to be broken, busted, or pricked.
The omission of the letter v in oerleaps highlights the fact of the inclusion of ellipsis in
this word, its purpose Is to create a rhythmic effect.
And falls on th'
other.
This last line of Macbeths soliloquy, is not finished, later the entrance of Lady Macbeths
words interrupt Macbeth, this ellipsis is used to create suspense and emphasises the fact
that he was interrupted.