Macbethby William Shakespeare MACBETH.Is this a dagger which I see before me,The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.Art thou not, fatal vision, sensibleTo feeling as to sight? or art thou but A dagger of the mind,a false creation,Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?I see thee yet, in form as palpableAs this which now I draw. From Macbeth by William ShakespeareQuestionUse the lines to answer the question.Analyze Shakespeare’s use of the dagger in these lines. Which interpretation could be used to explain its use? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)ResponsesMacbeth’s guilt for thinking about killing the king has triggered its appearance.Macbeth’s guilt for thinking about killing the king has triggered its appearance.Macbeth is receiving a warning to be wary about a possible threat to his life.Macbeth is receiving a warning to be wary about a possible threat to his life.The dagger is a message to Macbeth that he should act on his impulses.The dagger is a message to Macbeth that he should act on his impulses.The dagger is a reminder to Macbeth about his violent past.The dagger is a reminder to Macbeth about his violent past.Macbeth’s sight of the dagger, which is not actually there, indicates his insanity.Macbeth’s sight of the dagger, which is not actually there, indicates his insanity.

1 answer

In analyzing Shakespeare's use of the dagger in these lines from Macbeth, two interpretations that could be used to explain its use are:

  1. Macbeth’s guilt for thinking about killing the king has triggered its appearance. - The vision of the dagger reflects Macbeth's internal conflict and guilt. His thoughts about murdering King Duncan bring forth a physical manifestation of his murderous intentions.

  2. Macbeth’s sight of the dagger, which is not actually there, indicates his insanity. - The dagger is a hallucination, symbolizing Macbeth's deteriorating mental state as he grapples with his ambition and the violent thoughts that consume him.

These interpretations highlight the psychological struggle within Macbeth and illustrate how his ambition and guilt lead to a sense of madness.