Act 1 Scene 7 Summary Inside the castle

Act 1 Scene 7

Summary Inside the castle, as oboes play and servants set a table for the evening’s feast, Macbeth paces by himself, pondering his idea of assassinating Duncan. He says that the deed would be easy if he could be certain that it would not set in motion a series of terrible consequences. He declares his willingness to risk eternal damnation but realizes that even on earth, bloody actions “return / To plague th’inventor” (I. vii. 9– 10). He then considers the reasons why he ought not to kill Duncan: Macbeth is Duncan’s kinsman, subject, and host; moreover, the king is universally admired as a virtuous ruler. Macbeth notes that these circumstances offer him nothing that he can use to motivate himself. He faces the fact that there is no reason to kill the king other than his own ambition, which he realizes is an unreliable guide.

…continued Lady Macbeth enters and tells her husband that the king has dined and that he has been asking for Macbeth declares that he no longer intends to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth, outraged, calls him a coward and questions his manhood: “When you durst do it, ” she says, “then you were a man” (I. vii. 49). He asks her what will happen if they fail; she promises that as long as they are bold, they will be successful. Then she tells him her plan: while Duncan sleeps, she will give his chamberlains wine to make them drunk, and then she and Macbeth can slip in and murder Duncan. They will smear the blood of Duncan on the sleeping chamberlains to cast the guilt upon them. Astonished at the brilliance and daring of her plan, Macbeth tells his wife that her “undaunted mettle” makes him hope that she will only give birth to male children (I. vii. 73). He then agrees to proceed with the murder.

Things to focus on Macbeth’s doubts and inner-conflict about killing Duncan How Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to carry out the murder of Duncan

“If it were done when ’tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly” (1 -2) Macbeth states that he would gladly risk his soul and his place in heaven by murdering Duncan if he were certain that there would be no adverse consequences for him and that he would accede to the throne with no further obstacles in his path. However, he is worried that he will be punished in some way by committing such a heinous crime as killing his king. He is concerned that by committing violence, he will be inviting violence onto himself. Macbeth is well aware of the gravity of the act of regicide. He is worried that there will be some form of justice for his actions, either in this life or in the afterlife and this fills him with concern and fear, causing him to doubt the wisdom of the plan to kill Duncan.

Dramatic techniques Soliloquy Characterisation

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition” (25 -27) Macbeth admits that his only motivation for killing Duncan is because he is ambitious for power and prestige and that he wants Duncan’s throne for himself. He admits that Duncan has been a humble, virtuous and kind leader who is free from corruption and tyranny and that he does not deserve to die. He knows that Duncan’s death will be mourned throughout Scotland as he is wellloved and highly respected monarch who inspires great loyalty in his subjects. He knows that there are no moral justifications for killing him. Macbeth is also aware that, as his subject and family, he should always try to protect Duncan. Furthermore, as his host, he should be keeping Duncan safe from any harm. He is tempted by the prospect of power, but is having intense doubts about killing his king.

Dramatic techniques Soliloquy Characterisation

“We will proceed no further in this business” (31) Macbeth informs his wife that he no longer has any intention of killing Duncan and that he is putting a stop to their plans. He tells her that he is unwilling to kill Duncan as he has just honoured him with a new title and this has given him greater power and prestige already. He is concerned that they may fail in their plan and he is not willing to risk the terrible consequences if they are caught.

Dramatic techniques Dialogue Characterisation

Important! At this point, Macbeth is filled with doubt, confusion and uncertainty about killing Duncan and seems to have made up his mind that he will not carry out the murder. However, Lady Macbeth is aware of her husband’s innerconflict and is able to calm his doubts and fears and convince him to go through with the murder. Macbeth’s hesitation and resistance about killing Duncan are not strong enough to withstand his wife’s ability to manipulate him!

“When you durst do it, then you were a man!” (49) Lady Macbeth is able to manipulate her husband convince him to carry out the murder by questioning his masculinity. She successfully uses words which taunt, rather than persuade. She taunts and mocks him for his fear and cowardice. She tells him that if he decides not to kill Duncan then, in her eyes, he will no longer be a man. It was only when he seemed resolved to kill Duncan that he truly became a man and by killing Duncan he will become something much greater. She tells him that she does not understand his change of heart as the time and place are perfect for the murder to happen. She accuses him of being a coward who is too afraid to act in the way that he desires to grasp the power that he wants.

Dramatic techniques Dialogue Characterisation

“But screw your courage to the sticking place” (60) Lady Macbeth is able to assuage her husband’s fear and doubt by convincing him that they cannot possibly fail in their plans to murder Duncan. She reassures him by explaining the details of the murder and the steps that she will take to ensure that Macbeth is able to murder Duncan without being seen or opposed. Furthermore, she intends to frame Duncan’s servants so that no suspicion or blame will ever fall on them. She shows herself to be ruthlessly efficient. As a result, all of Macbeth’s objections seem to evaporate and he seems convinced that there will be no terrible consequences for him. His wife’s taunts and reassurances seem to have spurred him on and he promises to exert every muscle in his body to carry out the murder.

Dramatic techniques Dialogue Characterisation