
Explication: a statement that makes
something comprehensible by
describing the relevant structure or
operation or circumstances etc.;

You will often be asked to write a clear
and developed explication of a literary
passage or quotation. In order to write a
fantastic literary explication, you just
have to follow a few steps.

“This supernatural soliciting
Macbeth is
cannot be ill, cannot be good: the speaker
of this
if ill, why hath it given me
quote and
earnest of success,
he is
commencing in truth? I am
speaking
an
thane of Cawdor: If good, why
aside to
do I yield to that suggestion
himself.
whose horrid image doth
unfix my hair . . . “ (I. III)

“This supernatural
soliciting cannot be ill,
cannot be good: if ill, why
hath it given me earnest of
success, commencing in
truth? I am thane of
Cawdor: If good, why do I
yield to that suggestion
whose horrid image doth
unfix my hair . . . “ (I. III)
Macbeth says
this after the
witches
prophesy about
Macbeth
becoming the
thane of
Cawdor comes
true.

“This supernatural
soliciting cannot be ill,
cannot be good: if ill,
why hath it given me
earnest of success,
commencing in truth?
I am thane of Cawdor:
If good, why do I yield
to that suggestion
whose horrid image
doth unfix my hair . . .
“ (I. III)
Macbeth is expressing
his confusion over
whether or not to be
excited or frightened
over his prophesied
future. This quote
illustrates that Macbeth
is transforming into a
character whose morals
are ambiguous and
unclear.

“This supernatural
soliciting cannot be ill,
cannot be good: if ill,
why hath it given me
earnest of success,
commencing in truth? I
am thane of Cawdor: If
good, why do I yield to
that suggestion whose
horrid image doth unfix
my hair . . . “ (I. III)
This is significant
because it illuminates
the theme of
appearance versus
reality. Good and ill
used to appear simple
to Macbeth, but the
reality is that he can no
longer tell the
difference between the
two.
 Macbeth is the speaker of this quote. He is speaking
to himself in an aside. Macbeth speaks this aside after
the witches prophesy about becoming the thane of
Cawdor comes true. Macbeth is expressing his
confusion over whether or not to be excited or
frightened over his prophesied future. This quote
illustrates that Macbeth is transforming into a
character whose morals are ambiguous and unclear.
This is very significant because it illuminates the
theme of appearance versus reality. Good and ill
used to appear simple to Macbeth, but the reality is
that he can no longer tell the difference between the
two.
Identify the speaker
 2. Discuss Context
 3. Discuss Meaning
 4. Discuss Significance?

1.

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Now it’s your turn to practice and read some
more on the web about writing an excellent
passage analysis.
Go to the English Sharepoint page and click
on “Explication Practice”
Follow the directions!
Your explication is due next class period.