Act 1, Scene 7 Flashcards
What happens in act 1, Scene 7?
Outside the banqueting hall, Macbeth considers his complex thoughts about killing Duncan. He struggles with his conscience and decides not to go through with it because it is only his ‘vaulting ambition’ that is pushing him onwards. Lady Macbeth tells him off for leaving the hall. When Macbeth tells her that he has decided against killing Duncan, she is furious, calling him a coward and a ‘beast’. She goads him by saying that she would have ‘dash’d the brains out’ of her own baby if she had promised it to him. Macbeth is further persuaded by the strength of their plan. She will give Duncan’s two guards so much wine that they ‘lie as in death’, allowing Duncan to be an unguarded target for Macbeth to attack in the night. They will frame the guards for Duncan’s murder by covering their daggers in Duncan’s blood. The final step of the plan is for Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to act horrified on the discovery of the murder and ‘clamour roar / Upon his death’. Macbeth is ‘settled’ to kill Duncan.
What is some context in relation to this scene?
The act of regicide was considered the greatest crimes possible to commit. Not only was it a crime against the people, it was also considered a crime against God, as it was believed that the king was acting God’s will on earth. This was known as the divine right of kings. Regicide would interfere with the naturally set divine order.
What happens in relation to the beginning of this scene and Macbeth?
Macbeth has an internal monologue in which he expresses his doubts about going through with the plan to kill Duncan.
What is the decision made by Macbeth at the end of this internal monologue?
He will not go through with the plan.
How do we know that Macbeth will not go through with this plan of regicide?
He states.
‘We will proceed no further in this business.’
Why does Macbeth state that ‘we will proceed no further in this business.’?
After his monologue, ge decides that killing the king is both immoral and unnecessary. It is a very blunt line and also direct, showing the Macbeths mind is madeup. ‘We’ shows how he is exercising his male dominance against her.
What are the methods of persuasion used by Lady Macbeth?
- Interrogation.
- Encouragement.
- Humiliation.
- Shocking.
What are some quotes that show how Lady Macbeth used interrogation?
‘Hath it slept since.’
‘At what it did so freely?’
‘As thou art in desire’
‘And live a coward in thine of own esteem’
‘Like the poor cat i’th’adage’
What are some quotes that show how Lady Macbeth used shocking language?
‘And dashed the brains out, had I sword as you have done to this’.
What are some quotes that show Lady Macbeths encouragement?
‘If we should fail? We fail’
‘Screw your courage.’
What does screw your courage refer to?
Fix your courage firmly in place so it can’t move.
What shows Lady Macbeths influence over Macbeth in this scene?
At the end of this scene after having such adverse opinions to killing the king. The scene ends with Macbeth stating:
‘I am settled’.
