Machete’s inner turmoil, highlighting his uncertainties, regarding the act of regicide, are prevalent throughout the play. The character who once was seen as a noble man to the king eventually becomes his murderer. Machete’s inner turmoil is revealed in scene four for the first time when he soliloquies, “… The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be which the eye fears when it is done, to see. ” Macbeth at this point is already contemplating the act of regicide.
Act one scene seven Is perhaps the most Important scene highlighting Machete’s Inner turmoil before he commits the unthinkable crime of regicide. The soliloquy accentuates his unwillingness to perform the crime. However it also reflects Machete’s power hungry motives and overly ambitious personality. This soliloquy proves his inner turmoil about the fact that,” if the assassination could trammel up the consequences and catch, with his surcease, success; that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all… Ere, but here upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d Jump to the life to come. ” Proving his fear of consequence not only In this life but In the life hereafter. His fear of murdering the king while he possesses his “double trust” reinforces the rower struggle between good and evil within Macbeth. The Idea of upsetting the whole of Scotland also frightens Macbeth and the fact that Duncan Is a virtuous well-liked King would make the crime seem even more horrendous.
The fact that Macbeth admits ambition, which overlaps itself and falls on other’s” reinforces the idea that although he is contemplating the act of regicide he is fully aware of the consequences he will have to bear. The “dagger of the mind” Is a clear Indication and foreshadow of the guilt he Is experiencing by simply fantasizing about killing the king and the guilt he will experience after he has committed the crime. Macbeth decision that he “will proceed no further in this business” indicated his virtuous morals.
Macbeth after the murder, Is scared at even the slightest sound this reinforces his guilty conscious and his utter regret “this sorry sight. ” He also confesses his incapability of saying,” ‘Amen’ when they did say ‘God bless us. ‘” as he has now realized that he has completely handed himself over the evil. Macbeth proves to be both a good virtuous man and a cold blooded murderer, tragic hero over the brink of no return.
