Question

excerpt 1: read the excerpt from act 1, scene 7 of the tragedy of macbeth. macbeth is speaking to himself and listing the reasons he should not kill duncan.
macbeth. hes here in double trust:
first, as i am his kinsman and his subject,
strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
who should against his murderer shut the door,
not bear the knife myself. besides, this duncan
hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
so clear in his great office, that his virtues
will plead like angels trumpet - tongud against
the deep damnation of his taking - off;
and pity, like a naked new - born babe,
striding the blast, or heavens cherubin, horsd
upon the sightless couriers of the air
excerpt 2: read the excerpt from act 2, scene 3 of
how does shakespeare most develop the universal
themes \the conflict between loyalty and betrayal\ and
\the quest for power\ in these excerpts?
through macbeths descriptions of duncan
through macbeths references to duncans murder
through the external conflict between macbeth and
duncan
through the external conflict between macbeth and
the guards

Explanation:

To determine how Shakespeare develops the themes, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Macbeth describes Duncan as his kinsman, subject, and host (showing loyalty ties) and praises Duncan's virtues (highlighting the conflict of betraying such a good king for power). This aligns with the themes.
• Option 2: The excerpt doesn't have Macbeth referencing Duncan's murder (he's debating not killing him yet), so this is incorrect.
• Option 3: The conflict here is internal (Macbeth's thoughts) not external between Macbeth and Duncan, so this is wrong.
• Option 4: The excerpt doesn't involve conflict with guards, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. through Macbeth’s descriptions of Duncan