Wednesday, February 2, 2011

What is Macbeth's internal conflict? (only act 1 and 2)i know that i should talk about the murder of duncan and his guilt.. but what more can i say...

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth's
internal conflicts do deal with more than just his guilt, or specifically, his guilt is
caused by specifics.


First, he, showing personality traits
that present role reversal concerning genders, worries that Duncan has been a humble and
fair ruler.  He wants the throne badly, but hates to assassinate someone who has treated
him so well. 


He also hates to give up the reputation he
has developed.  He's received honors from others in the recent past, and hates to
jeopardize that by assassinating a king.


Finally, he
worries about his eternal salvation.  He knows doing what he wants to do--assassinating
Duncan--will cost him his salvation. 


Macbeth's internal
conflicts are complex.  He is terribly ambitious, but he is also aware that what he
wants to do and later does, is hideous.  It's even possible he's had the assassination
of Duncan on his mind before the play opens, which would explain why he flinches when he
first hears the prediction that he will be king from the witches:  it's possible he
flinches because he knows what his being king will take. 

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