What is the dramatic impact of Macbeths soliliquy in act 2 scene 1?

Answer 1

That it foreshadows the killing of Macbeth (d. August 15, 1057) by giving a motive to Macduff is the importance of Act IV Scene III in the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare (Baptized April 26, 1564 - April 23, 1616).

Specifically, Macbeth abandons his entire household in Scotland for safe haven in England. He leaves without giving any information to his wife of his intentions and whereabouts. In England, he learns that in his absence, Macbeth orders the snuffing out of all life in Macduff's castle. He thereby has a powerful motive to join with the other exiles in planning the overthrow of Macbeth.

Answer 2

Act 1 scene 3 in Macbeth is actually important. In the beginning the three witches are talking about Macbeth. This is possibly the MOST important scene in the entire play. This fact is because, the witches tell Macbeth's and Banquo's futures.

Macbeth will:

1. Become Thane of Glamis
2. Become Thane of Cawdor
3. Become king

These prophecies are important because they will cause feelings in Macbeth and cause him to do things he wasn't supposed to do. This will make more sense later on, but this is setting the stage for the future.

Banquo will:

1. Be lesser than Macbeth but greater
2. Not as happy as Macbeth, yet much happier
3. He will never be king, but his decedents will be

These prophecies are important because they will also cause feelings for both characters. Especially Macbeth. Macbeth will become worried about Banquo's prophecies.

These scenes are pivotal for the rest of the play. (PS: I used Sparknotes No Fear Shakespeare online for this. When I read the play, I would read it and then go online. It helped A LOT since Shakespeare can be hard to understand!)

Answer 3

Macbeth actually has two soliloquys in this scene. The first is the one which begins "Is this a dagger which I see before me." This speech has three sections. In the first he sees a dagger hanging in the air and tries to figure out whether it is real and what it means. This vision blurs the line between reality and hallucination. We are prepared for Macbeth to see and deal with more things which nobody else can see, like Banquo's ghost. In the second part of the speech, which begins with the words "Now o'er the one-half world nature seems dead . . ." sets the spooky atmosphere. He says "witchcraft celebrates" and "murder . . . moves like a ghost". He refers to Hecate who is a character in the full version of the play (and who is always cut because she is too silly). The third section is a kind of invocation or prayer. He asks the ground not to give away his footsteps, and for himself not to be frightened by the scary situation.

His second soliloquy is shorter and starts with "Whence is that knocking?--how is't with me when every noise appals me?" He looks at his bloody hands and says "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?", which anticipates and prepares us for Lady Macbeth's later line "Out, damned spot!"

Answer 4

It gives the set-up, the reason why Duncan gets killed. We are introduced to the witches' prophecy and the reactions of Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth to that prophecy.

Answer 5

it tells you when duncan dies