Question

What does the following quote suggest about Macbeth's state of mind during this scene? "Or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?"

a) Certainty and clarity
b) Confusion and hallucination
c) Fear and paranoia
d) Joy and exhilaration

Answer 1

The quote indicates Macbeth is experiencing confusion and hallucination, highlighting his psychological turmoil as he contemplates committing murder.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quote "Or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?" suggests that Macbeth's state of mind is one of confusion and hallucination. This line is spoken when Macbeth imagines seeing a dagger leading him towards Duncan's chamber where he will commit regicide. It indicates that Macbeth is experiencing a psychological crisis, torn between his ambition and his moral reservations. His vision of the dagger signifies an internal conflict and foreboding about the act of murder he is contemplating. This hallucinatory vision also foreshadows the mental turmoil and guilt that will plague both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth throughout the play.