Macbeth’s Soliloquy in Act I Scene VII is the most significant passage in this novel because he overlooks his morals which alter the course of events during the rest of the play. Also in the scene Shakespeare uses metaphors and foreshadowing to enhance Macbeth’s speech during the quote.

On a literal level, the Soliloquy has a lot of content that portrays what will and what does happen at the end of the story. In the beginning of his contradiction killing Duncan, he says “Bloody Instructions which, being taught, return to plague th’inventor” (9-10). The quote is showing what would happen if he continued with the horrific deed. He says if he kills Duncan, the malice will return to him, haunting him in a way. He also thinks about how Duncan is innocent. “This Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office” (16-18). Macbeth is questions himself if he should kill an innocent person such as Duncan, who has helped his country in so many ways. Through the duration of the quote, he gives many reasons on why the killing is insane, and unethical. But, at the end of the quote, Macbeth says, “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which overleaps itself and falls on th’other”(25-28), showing he will continue in his process to kill Duncan. During the beginning and middle of this quote, Macbeth shows his last ounce of sanity, before becoming crazy. Thinking he will be praised with banners, he eventually is praised with his head on a stick for his downfall.

On a figurative level Shakespeare uses metaphors and foreshadowing to heighten the scene, as well as Macbeth’s speech. One metaphor is on lines 4-7. “That but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all, here, but here upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d jump the life to come.” This shows Macbeth is questioning Duncan’s death. In my opinion, Macbeth says if he killed Duncan with no consequences, he would do it, without even caring for the afterlife. Another metaphor comes in lines 18-20. “His virtues will plead like angles, trumpet-tounged against”. By Duncan being compared to angels, it shows Macbeth is killing not any an average person, but one with “heavenly” virtures. The last quote is again from lines 25-28(I have…falls on th’other). Macbeth says that in the end, he will not back away from his plan, and his “vaulting ambition” will proceed him through the malicious deeds. It also foreshadows his ambition will be an advantage when he is king, but will cause his future downfall as king.