Critical Analysis: Soliloquies in Macbeth
A soliloquy is a monologue, delivered by a character alone on stage.
Soliloquies are central to the play because in them there is only truth. There is no deception as
there might be when speaking to other characters.
Soliloquies contain the most powerful emotion and imagery in the play.
Soliloquies are extremely important in revealing character, and are only spoken by the most
important characters in the play
There are several soliloquies in the first 3 Acts of Shakespeare’s Macbeth:
Act I. v: 39-55 “The raven himself is hoarse…”
LADY MACBETH
Act I.vii:1-28 “If It Were Done When 'Tis Done…”
MACBETH
Act II.i: 33-65 “Is This A Dagger Which I See Before Me…”
MACBETH
Act III.i: 48-72: “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus...”
MACBETH
PART A: SOLILOQUY CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Choose one of the soliloquies listed above and compose a critical analysis of it. This means that
you:
1. Identify and explain AT LEAST TWO OF the dramatic purposes of the soliloquy (ONE
PARAGRAPH):

to advance the plot: to start the conflict; depict the victories and defeats of the
protagonist; depict some incident or decision that will precipitate further events in the
conflict;

to indicate setting or provide required background information;

to develop character: to reveal the nature of a person;

to create atmosphere and impart mood;

to develop theme(s);

to create suspense (a state of anxious uncertainty);

to create dramatic irony (also heightening tension)

to provide dramatic relief (to break tension after a particularly dramatic or tense scene);

to provide comic relief (a type of dramatic relief, it specifically provokes laughter from the
audience to relieve tension);

to provide foreshadowing;

To arouse the emotions of the audience: to deliberately make the audience’s sympathies
lie where the dramatists wants them to lie.
2. Identify any/all themes evident in the soliloquy: consider the themes of Macbeth:



The Corrupting Power of Unchecked Ambition
The Relationship Between Cruelty and Masculinity
The Difference Between Kingship and Tyranny.
Which one(s) are present in the soliquoy you are analyzing? How? Use the TEXT as evidence to
support your claim. Write A PARAGRAPH to explain the theme(s).
3. Identify three (3) literary different types of devices present in the soliloquy and the effect
of each device on the soliloquy and its purpose as a whole. WRITE A PARAGRAPH THAT
THOROUGHLY EXPLAINS EACH DEVICE.
This means you not only identify a literary device, it means you explain how that device makes an
impact on the text. Why did Shakespeare choose to use it?
For example: when Macbeth talks to Banquo’s ghost he says “gory locks” to describe Banquo’s
blood-drenched hair. It creates an image of horror. He would not say “cherry red tresses”
because that creates a different image: one that is associated with sweetness and beauty.
There is a reason certain words are used the way they are. Why did Shakespeare use them as
he did?
You need an introductory paragraph and a conclusion as well.
So, in total:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introductory paragraph – 10 points
Dramatic purpose paragraph – this must identify and explain each dramatic purpose
thoroughly. – 20 points
Paragraph for theme(s) – this paragraph must identify and explain each theme
thoroughly. – 20 points
A paragraph for each literary device – this paragraph must identify and explain each
literary device thoroughly. – 30 points
A concluding paragraph – 10 points
Grammar and conventions – 10 points (this includes using quotation marks and line
citing, correct punctuation and spelling, and a title for your paper).
DATES DUE:
BLUE DAYS (PERIODS 1 and 5) WEDNESDAY, January 30, 2013
GOLD DAYS (PERIODS 2 and 4) THURSDAY, January 31, 2013
WORTH 5 GRADES