How would you analyze Macbeth's statement, "I am settled and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat" (1.7.92-93)?
This statement follows a difficult argument between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth becomes very angry with her husband when Macbeth says he does not want to move forward with their plan to kill Duncan (1.7.34). Lady Macbeth proceeds to try all manner of insults and manipulation to coerce Macbeth to recommit to their plan, including wounding his ego by insulting his masculinity and implying he is disloyal to her. She calls Macbeth a "coward"...
This statement follows a difficult argument between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth becomes very angry with her husband when Macbeth says he does not want to move forward with their plan to kill Duncan (1.7.34). Lady Macbeth proceeds to try all manner of insults and manipulation to coerce Macbeth to recommit to their plan, including wounding his ego by insulting his masculinity and implying he is disloyal to her. She calls Macbeth a "coward" and claims he lacks courage. Lady Macbeth also says she would kill her own baby if she had promised him that she would do so. Once Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth that no one will doubt their feigned grief when Duncan is discovered dead and that they can actually get away with this murder, Macbeth says, "I am settled and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat" (1.7.92-93). In other words, Lady Macbeth has convinced Macbeth to be in favor of their plan. After much indecision, Macbeth is no longer on the fence. He claims that all his actions will now be focused on murdering Duncan. Once Lady Macbeth has successfully convinced Macbeth, there is no going back; he will remain on this murderous path until the play's end.
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