Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3 of The Tragedy of Macbeth . Macbeth: [ Aside. ] Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme. [ To ROSS and ANGUS.] I thank you, gentlemen. [ Aside. ] This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good; if ill, Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor: If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings; My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smother’d in surmise, and nothing is But what is not. Banquo: Look, how our partner’s rapt. Macbeth: [ Aside. ] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir. Which statement best describes the effect of Macbeth’s appeal to logic?
Answer
A
By rationalizing the Weird Sisters’ prophecies, he allows himself to contemplate the prospect of becoming king.
B
By evaluating the consequences of murder, he resolves to dismiss his thoughts of rising to the crown.
C
By analyzing the evidence of his battle victories, he determines that he has rightfully earned the title of thane of Cawdor.
D
By deliberating over the predictions of the three Weird Sisters, he reaches the conclusion that the sisters are trustworthy.
Explanation
Macbeth reasons that the prophecy has already come true in part because he has become Thane of Cawdor. He weighs what that evidence might mean, while also recognizing that the thought of murder frightens him. This reasoning allows him to consider becoming king, though he decides that chance may make it happen without his intervention. Choice A best describes this effect; he does not conclude that the Weird Sisters are wholly trustworthy.
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