"BY CLOSE REFERENCE TO HIS SOLILOQUIES, EXAMINE THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF MACBETH"S INNER CONFLICTS.
Shortly after we are introduced to Macbeth and until the end of the play, we are constantly made aware of the raging conflict and inner turmoil that is tormenting his mind, body and soul. The complexities of his character, is compounded by the high strung, erratic soliloquies which he exudes throughout the play. The mental turmoil he expresses when alone gives us Shakespeare's most chilling and evocative verse. Macbeth is a character devoted to evil and ambition and yet his soliloquies are so full of eloquent speech and pathos that audiences cannot help but sympathize with him. The nature and extent of his conflicts is only exhibited it its fullest and purest form in his soliloquies. Although, Lady Macbeth also commands a position to draw out his confusion and fragmented psychological state.
The first of Macbeth's many asides is seen in Scene III of Act 1, subsequent to his meeting with the three witches. The weird sisters prophesied that he was to be given the titles of Thane of Cawdor and then that of King. .
"All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!.
All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.".
When the initial prophecy is revealed and he is addressed as Cawdor by Rosse the inner conflict begins. His thoughts immediately turn to murder but the nature of it is too horrendous for him bear as he said, "Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs". Thus begins the mental spiral that enraptures Macbeth for a better part of the play. For much of the remainder of this Act more so in close proximity of his wife the indecisiveness that Macbeth is facing in summoning the courage to murder King Duncan is evident. He is evasive of the topic and is heavily reliant on Lady Macbeth for reinforcement and conviction. Although his other soliloquy in scene VII, admist all the contradictory thoughts seems to exude a Macbeth that is willing to act the inner conflict is rampant.