Macbeth's monologue in Act 1 Scene 7

[tonyjiangsh1997]

  At the beginning of Scene 7, Macbeth tries to decide whether to kill Duncan or not. He doesn't think it is a good idea to assassinate Duncan because he thinks "This even-handed justice commends th'ingredience of our poisoned chalice to our own lips" (Line 10-13, Scene 7). Here shows that he realizes justice exists in the world, if he does wicked things, he will definitely be punished by others. Besides, he finds out that Duncan trusts him in two reasons. First, he is Duncan's kinsman and should always protect Duncan; second, Duncan is the guest in his house. Moreover, "this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office" (Line 16-18, Scene 7) here says Duncan is a humble leader, he is free of corruption and his virtuous legacy will speak for him when he dies. Therefore, Macbeth gives up his idea of killing Duncan. I think this monologue has obvious contrast with Macbeth's behavior at the end of this scene which alludes how Lady Macbeth has changed Macbeth.

[rita1526106]

I agree with most of your ideas. There is no doubt that Macbeth was struggling within himself whether he should kill Duncan but he was rational than he'd ever been in former scenes. First of all, he has his unique point of view to the violence. He thought that Assassination is definitely a way to "teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th' inventor" (page31 line8-10). It indicates that Macbeth is clearly about that he would receive the similar result as people he killed just like a kind of revenge. He still kept justice in his mind. After that, he analyzed the reason why he was trusted by the king, thought about the king's personality and imaged the condition after king's demise. His thinking process was quite logical and clear. As a result, he gave up. It shows that he was still a good person who had faith and loyalty at that time.

[eligenzel]

I agree with tony and after i read Macbeth's Soliloquy i was confused to be honest. I did understand that he was planning to killing Duncan but there were parts that were not clear to me, so i'm going to talk about what i understood. When i was reading Macbeth used the words and phrases like "assassination" (line 2 pg. 31) and "bloody instructions" (line 9 pg.31), when he said assassination he didn't seem to violent but when he brought duncan into it and said bloody instructions i felt it brought out a little of his darker side, and showed what he would do to be king. But then Macbeth started to resent what he was planning to do, because he thought to him self, why kill such a great king such as duncan. That is just my thought though. 

[timwangnyc]

To kill the King, Macbeth needs courage. I agree with you that he thinks justice still exists in the world. Hesitating from killing the king, Macbeth thinks "He's here in double trust: 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"(12 Act 1 Scene 7) Macbeth is trusted by the King Duncan, and he doesn't want to betray him. Macbeth thinks he should protect the king instead of killing him.