Macbeth dagger duncan argue macbeth's figure mother phallic

Text	How you could write about the symbolism of the dagger? One could argue that Macbeth's regicide is extricably linked with Freud's Oedipus theory in that his relationship with Lady Macbeth has oedipal roots: he kills his 'father figure' to gain respect and acceptance from his 'mother figure'. Could we also argue that Scotland is the 'mother figure' - Macbeth, convincing himself that by killing Duncan he will become even closer to his mother country - Scotland. Pressing upon this point, the phallic symbol of dagger could imply a subconsciously sexually driven act. Remember that Macbeth has called Duncan 'weak' and feminised him so could be exerting a masculine power over him via the dagger. Further on in the soliloquy the reference to Tarquin's rape of Lucretia explores this phallic symbol, aligning Macbeth with Tarquin and therefore Duncan with Lucretia and the dagger with the intended rape. onsidering this, Tarquin's own downfall is mirrored by Macbeth's. However, could the dagger be, not only symbolic of guilt when covered in imaginary 'gouts of blood,' yet also a taunt to Macbeth - kill the king but how will you sustain your kingship without children? Macbeth's inner conflict, explored in his first soliloquy in Act 1, scene 7, is resolved in this second soliloquy. His first line, 'Is this a dagger which I see before me' ends on a feminine ending suggesting uncertainty. However the last line, 'That summons thee to heaven or to hell' ends on a masculine ending inferring that Macbeth is now 'settled' on doing the murderous deed.

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How you could write about the symbolism of the dagger?

One could argue that Macbeth's regicide is extricably linked with Freud's Oedipus theory in that his relationship with Lady Macbeth has oedipal roots: he kills his 'father figure' to gain respect and acceptance from his 'mother figure'.

Could we also argue that Scotland is the 'mother figure' - Macbeth, convincing himself that by killing Duncan he will become even closer to his mother country - Scotland.

Pressing upon this point, the phallic symbol of dagger could imply a subconsciously sexually driven act.

Remember that Macbeth has called Duncan 'weak' and feminised him so could be exerting a masculine power over him via the dagger.

Further on in the soliloquy the reference to Tarquin's rape of Lucretia explores this phallic symbol, aligning Macbeth with Tarquin and therefore Duncan with Lucretia and the dagger with the intended rape.

onsidering this, Tarquin's own downfall is mirrored by Macbeth's. However, could the dagger be, not only symbolic of guilt when covered in imaginary 'gouts of blood,' yet also a taunt to Macbeth - kill the king but how will you sustain your kingship without children?

Macbeth's inner conflict, explored in his first soliloquy in Act 1, scene 7, is resolved in this second soliloquy. His first line, 'Is this a dagger which I see before me' ends on a feminine ending suggesting uncertainty. However the last line, 'That summons thee to heaven or to hell' ends on a masculine ending inferring that Macbeth is now 'settled' on doing the murderous deed.

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