Upon returning home from a successfully completed battle, Macbeth encounters three witches who mysteriously refer to him not only by his retained title, Thane of Glamis, but also as the Thane of Cawdor and the future King. Macbeth is puzzled by the peculiar words of the nameless women, and even more so when the first of their premonitions proves true and he is awarded the title, Thane of Cawdor. Upon hearing of the events that transpired, Lady Macbeth motivates Macbeth to fulfill the prophecy by planning Duncan's death and taking over his throne. Initially, Macbeth has second thoughts. In his soliloquy in Act I, scene vii, of Shakespeare's Macbeth, diction is used to reveal Macbeth's ambivalence toward the murder of Duncan through his views of Duncan, the euphemism referring to the murder and the consequences that are to follow.
             Macbeth expresses his uncertainty in considering his relationship with Duncan. As "[Duncan's] kinsman and his subject" Macbeth must respect Duncan's authority, not attempt to seize it for himself. "As [his] host," Macbeth holds the responsibility of "against his murderer [shutting] the door." How can he do this if he "bear[s] the knife [him]self?" Macbeth thus realizes that murdering Duncan will betray their trust in many ways. Furthermore, Macbeth begins to see Duncan's good character. In telling that Duncan "hath borne his faculties so meek,... that his virtues will plead like angels," Macbeth relates the king's innocence and good nature, as well as reticence to murder a man who has done so much for the kingdom.
             Note Macbeth's persistent refusal to use the word murder. First, he substitutes it with "assassination," which gives it an air of political justification. Then, calling it Duncan's "surcease," Macbeth makes the act of murder sound more pleasant in order to convince himself to go along with it. Finally, ...