Act 1 Scene 7


Scene Summary 





Macbeth, in soliloquy, offers several reasons why he shouldn’t kill Duncan.  He decides not to go through with the murder.


Upon hearing this Lady Macbeth uses her powers of persuasion to encourage Macbeth to change his mind.





She formulates a plan whereby the chamberlains will be made drunk, drugged, smeared with blood and subsequently blamed for the killing.


 Macbeth agrees to carry out the murder.


Inverness. Macbeth's castle. Hautboys and torches. Enter a Sewer1 the stage. Then enter MACBETH.


, and divers Servants with dishes and service, and pass over


MACBETH If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly:2


if the assassination


Could trammel up the consequence,3 and catch With his surcease4 success; that but this blow


Might be the be-all and the end-all here – 5 But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'd jump the life to come.6


10 – But in these cases


Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor.8


To our own lips. – He's here in double trust:10 First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed;11


hath been that his virtues 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,12 So clear in his great office,13


Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued,14 against 20


The deep damnation of his taking-off;15 And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind.16


12 13 14 – I have no spur


We still have judgement here;7 that we but teach This even-handed justice


Commends9 the ingredients of our poisoned chalice 8


1 Sewer: head servant 2


3


If it were done…done quickly: If the murder is to be done, it’s best done sooner.


trammel up the consequence: prevent (or trap) any consequences 4 surcease: death


5 6


the be-all and end-all here: the end of the matter here on earth


But here, upon…life to come: But here upon the narrow stretch of human life we’d risk punishment in the afterlife.


7


But in …judgement here: But there is also the risk of being punished on earth (i.e. by the law).


that we but teach…the inventor: the violence we commit may be turned against us 9 Commends: presents


10 11


double trust: two reasons (that Duncan should trust Macbeth)


First, as I am…the deed: Firstly, I am his relative and his subject.These are both strong reasons not to kill him


borne his faculties so meek: used his power with restraint


clear in his great office: honest in his role as King


trumpet-tongued: proclaiming loudly like a trumpet 15 taking off: death


16 28


And pity…drown the wind: Pity, like a newborn child, will join the stormy outcry, or like angels riding on violent winds will blow Duncan’s death into every eye until the sound of crying will drown out the wind.


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