Question

#4
act i/ scene 3 ln. 130
\this supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good. if ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commending in truth? i am thane of cawdor. if good, why do i yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature?\—macbeth (aside)
what is macbeth thinking? what are the \horrid\ images he is seeing in his mind? what does this tell us about macbeth?

#5
act i/ scene 4 ln. 48
\the prince of cumberland! that is a stop on which i must fall down, or else oerleap, for in my way it lies. stars, hide your fires! let not light see my black and deep desires. the eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.\—macbeth (aside)
how does macbeth react to the kings proclamation that his son, malcolm, will be the prince of cumberland, which means he will ultimately be king? what does he mean by \fall down, or else oerleap\?

#6
act i/ scene 5 ln. 16
\what thou art promised. yet do i fear thy nature it is too full o the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.\—lady macbeth
what is lady macbeths criticism of her husband?

Explanation:

For #4:

Macbeth is conflicted by the witches' prophecy that he will be king, which conflicts with his loyalty to Duncan. The "horrid image" is the violent thought of murdering Duncan to seize the throne. This reveals he has ambitious, violent impulses but is still torn between morality and his desire for power.

For #5:

Macbeth reacts with frustration and resolve—he sees Malcolm's appointment as an obstacle to his own claim to the throne. "Fall down, or else o'erleap" means he either has to accept defeat (give up his ambition) or take extreme, unlawful action (murder Malcolm or Duncan) to bypass this barrier. This shows his ambition is now overriding his initial hesitation.

For #6:

Lady Macbeth criticizes Macbeth as too kind and hesitant. She believes his innate "milk of human kindness" will prevent him from taking the ruthless, violent steps (murdering Duncan) needed to fulfill the prophecy and become king. She thinks he lacks the cruelty required to seize power quickly.

Answer:

1. For #4: Macbeth is conflicted by the witches' prophecy; the "horrid image" is the thought of murdering Duncan. This shows he has violent ambition but is still morally torn.
2. For #5: Macbeth sees Malcolm's appointment as a barrier to his throne. "Fall down, or else o'erleap" means he must either abandon his ambition or take violent action to overcome the obstacle. This reveals his ambition is now driving him toward reckless action.
3. For #6: Lady Macbeth criticizes Macbeth as too gentle and compassionate, saying his "milk of human kindness" will stop him from committing the murder needed to become king.