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Use 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) Responses 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. Macbeth’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. The dagger is a reminder to Macbeth about his violent past. The dagger is a reminder to Macbeth about his violent past. 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. Macbeth is receiving a warning to be wary about a possible threat to his life.

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In analyzing Shakespeare's use of the dagger in "Macbeth," the following two interpretations can effectively explain its significance:

  1. Macbeth’s sight of the dagger, which is not actually there, indicates his insanity. This interpretation suggests that the vision of the dagger represents Macbeth's deteriorating mental state as he grapples with the moral implications of murder and ambition.

  2. Macbeth’s guilt for thinking about killing the king has triggered its appearance. This interpretation highlights how Macbeth's inner turmoil and guilt manifest in the form of the hallucinated dagger, symbolizing his conflicted conscience as he contemplates regicide.

These interpretations underscore the psychological themes in the play and illustrate Macbeth's struggle with his ambitions and their consequences.