Act 1, Scene 7 — The Decision

"If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly"

Macbeth's soliloquy wishing the murder could have no consequences

Macbeth's three reasons not to kill Duncan

He is his kinsman, his subject, and his host

"Double trust"

Macbeth's phrase for the two bonds — relative and subject — he would break

Why does Macbeth say Duncan is a good king

Duncan's virtues would "plead like angels" against his murder

"Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself"

Macbeth admitting ambition is his only motive and that it will destroy him

Macbeth's decision at the start of Scene 7

"We will proceed no further in this business"

How does Lady Macbeth respond

She attacks his manhood and calls him a coward

"When you durst do it, then you were a man"

Lady Macbeth equating murder with masculinity

The baby image

Lady Macbeth says she would dash out her own child's brains rather than break a promise

Why the baby speech is shocking

It shows she has fully rejected maternal instinct and human feeling

"Screw your courage to the sticking-place"

Lady Macbeth urging Macbeth to commit fully to the plan

The plan to kill Duncan

Get his guards drunk, kill Duncan with their daggers, smear them with blood

Who will be blamed for the murder

Duncan's drunken chamberlains

"False face must hide what the false heart doth know"

Macbeth's final line, accepting deception and committing to the murder

Macbeth's state at the end of Act 1

Persuaded, resolved, and fully committed to killing Duncan