Final answer:
The phrase indicates that Macbeth's imagination is so vivid and dreadful that it significantly weakens his courage, more than any present danger. Option A is correct, as it asserts his imagination provokes fears that unman him, despite the absence of actual threats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "imagination is stronger than his courage. not present fears but horrible imaginings unman him." meaning can be deciphered through understanding the character of Macbeth in Shakespeare's play. It highlights a pivotal aspect of Macbeth's psyche, where his imagination undermines his courage, creating fears that are more damaging than those actually faced. The correct interpretation is Option A: Macbeth's courageous nature is significantly weakened by his overactive imagination, which conjures fears not present in reality but are so terrifying that they incapacitate him, making him feel less than a man, or 'unman' him.
This introspection is evident in Macbeth's soliloquy when he says, "Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings: My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man..." Here, Macbeth indicates that it's not the reality of his situation that frightens him, but rather the gruesome scenarios his mind fabricates, particularly concerning the planned murder of King Duncan.