Question

In act I, scene III, of Macbeth, the witches address Macbeth as Thane of Glamis. When they foretell that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and king, he is bewildered. Soon after, a soldier informs him that Macbeth is now the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth wonders to himself whether all the prophecies will come true.

Which lines in the excerpt show that Macbeth is on the verge of giving in to temptation, knowing very well that he is considering committing a terrible crime?

Answer 1

This supernatural soliciting

Cannot be ill; cannot be good:—if ill,

Why hath it given me earnest of success,

Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor

or

Shakes so my single state of man, that function

Is smother'd in surmise; and nothing is

But what is not.

I'm currently reading Macbeth in my English class too.