What is the importance of soliloquy in Macbeth?

Soliloquy is a literary device by which readers are able to gain access to the inner world of characters, specifically, their thoughts and ideas about certain situations, issues or other characters in the play. This literary device enables us to examine the characters more closely and to see them as what they really are - complex human beings.

On the subject of Macbeth, many soliloquies reveal how complex the character of Macbeth is. If...

Soliloquy is a literary device by which readers are able to gain access to the inner world of characters, specifically, their thoughts and ideas about certain situations, issues or other characters in the play. This literary device enables us to examine the characters more closely and to see them as what they really are - complex human beings.

On the subject of Macbeth, many soliloquies reveal how complex the character of Macbeth is. If we disregarded all the soliloquies, Macbeth would be seen as an utterly  despicable character, a cold-blooded murderer who is devoid of humanity. Thankfully, it is in his soliloquies that we see him as what he really is - a complex human being, with both the good and the bad within him. Although the bad in him prevails as the play unfolds, his soliloquies make him human. In them, he shows his fears, doubts, suspicions, etc. Although he may be seen as a fearless, blood-thirsty villain on the outside, we are able to see his other side as well. For example, before he murders Duncan, we see how conflicted he is about doing it:

 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.

Here, he attempts to weigh all the factors in order to make a decision and lists the reasons why he should not murder Duncan. We see how agonizing this is for him, yet his ambition needs to be fulfilled.

Macbeth's vulnerability, fears and doubts make him a rather complex character, even sympathetic at times, so it is thanks to the soliloquies that we are able to see him as accurately as possible.