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How does the revelation that Duncan is a moral ruler help to propel Macbeth's internal conflict?

a. It alleviates Macbeth's guilt, resolving his internal conflict.
b. It deepens Macbeth's sense of betrayal, intensifying his internal struggle.
c. Macbeth remains unaffected by Duncan's moral character.
d. The revelation has no impact on Macbeth's internal conflict.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The revelation of Duncan's moral character deepens Macbeth's sense of betrayal and magnifies his internal conflict as he grapples with his ambition and the moral implications of assassinating a righteous king.

Step-by-step explanation:

The revelation that Duncan is a moral ruler deepens Macbeth's sense of betrayal, which intensifies his internal struggle. As Macbeth contemplates the murder of King Duncan, he is aware that Duncan is a good and just leader. This exacerbates Macbeth's guilt over plotting to commit regicide and feeds into the play's exploration of moral conflict, ambition, and the consequences of violating the natural order.

In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth himself acknowledges Duncan's goodness as a king and his own role as Duncan's host and kinsman, which should prevent him from doing harm to Duncan. Despite these reservations, his ambition and the urgings of Lady Macbeth propel him towards the heinous act, pushing Macbeth into deeper internal conflict as he grapples with his morals and his desire for power.

Macbeth's internal conflict

is further highlighted after the deed is done, when he is haunted by guilt and paranoia, demonstrating the psychological consequences of his actions and the personal cost of political ambition.

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