Use the lines to answer the question.

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, sensible

To 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 palpable

As this which now I draw.

Analyze Shakespeare’s use of the dagger in these lines. Which interpretation could be used to explain its use? Select the two correct answers.

Macbeth is receiving a warning to be wary about a possible threat to his life.

Macbeth’s guilt for thinking about killing the king has triggered its appearance.

The dagger is a message to Macbeth that he should act on his impulses.

Macbeth’s sight of the dagger, which is not actually there, indicates his insanity.

The dagger is a reminder to Macbeth about his violent past.

1 answer

Macbeth’s guilt for thinking about killing the king has triggered its appearance.
Macbeth’s sight of the dagger, which is not actually there, indicates his insanity.