Macbeth
Scene #3 · Act I, Scene 7
Macbeth delivers a soliloquy weighing the consequences of murdering Duncan, recognizing that violence begets violence and that he violates sacred bonds as Duncan's kinsman, subject, and host. He acknowledges Duncan's virtuous character and admits his only motivation is "vaulting ambition." When Lady Macbeth enters, Macbeth declares he will "proceed no further in this business," citing Duncan's recent honors and his own good reputation. Lady Macbeth attacks his manhood and resolve, comparing his wavering to drunkenness and cowardice, and shockingly claims she would dash out her own infant's brains rather than break such a vow. She outlines her plan to drug Duncan's chamberlains and frame them for the murder, ultimately convincing Macbeth to commit to the deed.
This scene reveals the psychological and moral struggle at the heart of Macbeth's character, showing he fully understands the evil of regicide yet chooses ambition over conscience. Lady Macbeth's manipulation demonstrates the power dynamics in their marriage and establishes the theme of masculinity being equated with violent action. Macbeth's final resolution to proceed—"False face must hide what the false heart doth know"—marks the point of no return, transforming him from conflicted warrior to determined murderer and setting the tragedy's central action in motion.
I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself / And falls on th’ other—
Act I, Scene 7 · Macbeth
I have given suck, and know / How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: / I would, while it was smiling in my face, / Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums / And dash’d the brains out, had I so sworn as you / Have done to this.
Act I, Scene 7 · Lady Macbeth
Besides, this Duncan / Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been / So clear in his great office, that his virtues / Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against / The deep damnation of his taking-off;
Act I, Scene 7 · Macbeth
But in these cases / We still have judgement here; that we but teach / Bloody instructions, which being taught, return / To plague th’ inventor.
Act I, Scene 7 · Macbeth
Was the hope drunk / Wherein you dress’d yourself? Hath it slept since? / And wakes it now, to look so green and pale / At what it did so freely?
Act I, Scene 7 · Lady Macbeth