Name: __________________________
Date:__________________________
“To Kill or Not to Kill”
The soliloquy is a dramatic device which allows the speaker to utter his or her deepest
thoughts or emotions.
Paraphrasing or changing the words of the original into one’s own words is one
method of examining the precise meaning of a speech.
Read each section of the “If it were done” soliloquy and paraphrase that
section. Then complete the questions at the end of the soliloquy.
Macbeth
If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere
well
If were done quickly
If th’ 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,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’ld jump the life to come.
But in these cases
We still have judgment here, that we but
teach
Bloody instructions,which, being taught,
return
To plague th’ inventor. This even-handed
justice
Commends th’ ingredience of our poison’d
chalice
To our own lips
He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject –
Strong both against the deed: then, as his
host,
Who should against his murderer shut the
door.
Not bear the knife myself.
Paraphrase
Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath
been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongu’d,
against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe.
Striding to blast, or heaven’s cherubin,
hors’d
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind.
I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on th’ other side.
1. Does Macbeth seem to have more reasons for or against the killing of Duncan?
2. Does Macbeth seem fully aware of the consequences of the planned murder?
Support your response with evidence from the soliloquy.
3. Look back to Scene 7. At the conclusion of this soliloquy, what decision does
Macbeth seem to make?
4. What persuasive techniques does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to
change his mind regarding the murder of King Duncan by the end of Act 1?
Organize them below.
Technique
Insults
Logos
Ethos
Rhetorical Question
Pathos
Other?
Example or Proof