Analysis of Act 1 Scene 7
MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business: - he no longer wishes to murder King Duncan
He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people, -The king has honoured him lately, and he has achieved the approval and respect of many people
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, - Macbeth wants to enjoy these things whilst it is still fresh and new
Not cast aside so soon. - Macbeth wishes to enjoy these honours and golden opinions, he does not feel like he should sacrifice this
LADY MACBETH
Was the hope drunk -
Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since? - Lady Macbeth is attacking Macbeth's pride and courage by accusing him of having been drunk when he was so certain of the murder he was going to commit.
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale - and now it seems that Macbeth has "awoken" from this fantasy of his, but sick and pale, green signifies weakness and ill health. This would attack Macbeth's ego of being a brave soldier, by him being seen as weak and cowardly by Lady Macbeth
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard - Lady Macbeth is questioning as to whether Macbeth's sudden change of heart on murdering King Duncan, will soon happen to their "love". By doing this she is pushing Macbeth to go through with his idea, and if he doesn’t then he may as well say goodbye to the "love" that he shares with lady Macbeth
To be the same in thine own act and valour
40
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that - does Macbeth fear what he desires?
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem, - will Macbeth take what he wants so badly or live as a coward?
Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,' - will he live saying I can't after saying he wants to?
Like the poor cat i' the adage?
MACBETH
Prithee, peace:
I dare do all that may become a man;
Who dares do more is none. - Macbeth is questioning whether courage comes from acting in cold-blood, as to whether murdering another person makes the murderer a more courageous person. It is obvious that Macbeth is finding ways to regain his courage that Lady Macbeth is tearing down, as she wants him to be more of a man. So he says he will only do what is proper for man, and that anyone he does anything more is not deemed a man at all.
LADY MACBETH
What beast was't, then,
That made you break this enterprise to me? - Lady Macbeth expresses her control through emotion by making Macbeth feel as though he has disappointed or let her down, she asks what man was he when he told her that he wanted to do this, therefore she is contradicting the pride that she thought he had when he said he would go through with the murder
When you durst do it, then you were a man; - when he was going to do it, he was a man to her
And, to be more than what you were, you would - she is saying that if Macbeth would go further than his plan and follow through with it than he would be more of a man
50
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both: - again, Lady Macbeth accuses Macbeth of being a coward by saying that he was willing to commit the murder when the time and place weren't right, but now it is the perfect time and place and he wont do it.
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: - Lady Macbeth expresses the love and tenderness she felt with her baby
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. - Lady Macbeth makes a comparison between Macbeth's intention and actions, by alikening it to her loving and adoring her baby and that dashing its brain out. This is an oxymoron by saying that her love turned to hate, and she is trying to persuade Macbeth that his actions are exactly like that, this would make him feel foolish. Lady Macbeth also exhibits a heartless nature by showing her "masculinity", and that she would wish to dash a babies brains out rather than nurture it. Is she capable of human emotion?
MACBETH
If we should fail? - Macbeth feels that the plan is futile
LADY MACBETH
We fail! - Lady Macbeth is absolutely sertain that nothing will fail, furthermore this is encouraging and building Macbeth up to co mit the murder, because she is making the murder seem foolproof and successful
But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
60
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep-- - she says that if Macbeth gets his courage up then he will not fail, this again is implying that Macbeth lacks courage, lady Macbeth makes it seem like she is the masculine one out of her and Macbeth
Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
Soundly invite him--his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason -she intends to get the servants drunk and make them forget everything
A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
70
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell? - Lady Macbeth simplifies the murder of King Duncan by saying that the immediate accusations will be pointed towards the servants, and whilst they are drunk and passed out, Macbeth will be free to do whatever he wants and will get away with it. This will make it hard for Macbeth to refuse a plan that is seemingly as easy in nature than previously thought. Lady Macbeth brushes of the possible complications and says that nothing can go wrong, and he will be stupid if he cant do a plan this simple. Manipulation drives Macbeth to accept something that is not of his own free will, he obviously does not want to murder King Duncan, but he is instead a puppet of Lady Macbeth, he isn't free.
MACBETH
Bring forth men-children only; - Macbeth wishes for Lady Macbeth to only give birth to male children
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, - Macbeth is praising Lady Macbeth for her fearlessnes that she instills in people around her, and he says that she should only bear male children for she cant create anything that isnt masculine. The change of heart in Macbeth's decision is obvious, his shift in personality has changed dramatically, and he is no longer free, for he has been manipulated into doing something that wasn’t his intention to actually do. From here on out things can only spiral down, for he is under Lady Mcbeth's control
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,
That they have done't? - Macbeth is now becoming a bit cocky and over estimating his ability on committing this murder. He says who wouldn’t accuse the servants of having murdered the king.
LADY MACBETH
Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
Upon his death? - Lady Macbeth is content with the fact that Macbeth is now going through with the murder, she is being sarcastic by saying that they will be "grieving" loudly when King Duncan dies. To Lady Macbeth order has been "restored" as she seems much more joking and calm about the murder of King Duncan
MACBETH
I am settled, and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
80
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know. - The repetition of the word false makes this decision seem definite, his emotion is a mixture of ambition and greed. He seems happy about the murder, as he says to display a pleasant false face what you know in your false, evil heart
We will proceed no further in this business: - he no longer wishes to murder King Duncan
He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people, -The king has honoured him lately, and he has achieved the approval and respect of many people
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, - Macbeth wants to enjoy these things whilst it is still fresh and new
Not cast aside so soon. - Macbeth wishes to enjoy these honours and golden opinions, he does not feel like he should sacrifice this
LADY MACBETH
Was the hope drunk -
Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since? - Lady Macbeth is attacking Macbeth's pride and courage by accusing him of having been drunk when he was so certain of the murder he was going to commit.
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale - and now it seems that Macbeth has "awoken" from this fantasy of his, but sick and pale, green signifies weakness and ill health. This would attack Macbeth's ego of being a brave soldier, by him being seen as weak and cowardly by Lady Macbeth
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard - Lady Macbeth is questioning as to whether Macbeth's sudden change of heart on murdering King Duncan, will soon happen to their "love". By doing this she is pushing Macbeth to go through with his idea, and if he doesn’t then he may as well say goodbye to the "love" that he shares with lady Macbeth
To be the same in thine own act and valour
40
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that - does Macbeth fear what he desires?
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem, - will Macbeth take what he wants so badly or live as a coward?
Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,' - will he live saying I can't after saying he wants to?
Like the poor cat i' the adage?
MACBETH
Prithee, peace:
I dare do all that may become a man;
Who dares do more is none. - Macbeth is questioning whether courage comes from acting in cold-blood, as to whether murdering another person makes the murderer a more courageous person. It is obvious that Macbeth is finding ways to regain his courage that Lady Macbeth is tearing down, as she wants him to be more of a man. So he says he will only do what is proper for man, and that anyone he does anything more is not deemed a man at all.
LADY MACBETH
What beast was't, then,
That made you break this enterprise to me? - Lady Macbeth expresses her control through emotion by making Macbeth feel as though he has disappointed or let her down, she asks what man was he when he told her that he wanted to do this, therefore she is contradicting the pride that she thought he had when he said he would go through with the murder
When you durst do it, then you were a man; - when he was going to do it, he was a man to her
And, to be more than what you were, you would - she is saying that if Macbeth would go further than his plan and follow through with it than he would be more of a man
50
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both: - again, Lady Macbeth accuses Macbeth of being a coward by saying that he was willing to commit the murder when the time and place weren't right, but now it is the perfect time and place and he wont do it.
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: - Lady Macbeth expresses the love and tenderness she felt with her baby
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. - Lady Macbeth makes a comparison between Macbeth's intention and actions, by alikening it to her loving and adoring her baby and that dashing its brain out. This is an oxymoron by saying that her love turned to hate, and she is trying to persuade Macbeth that his actions are exactly like that, this would make him feel foolish. Lady Macbeth also exhibits a heartless nature by showing her "masculinity", and that she would wish to dash a babies brains out rather than nurture it. Is she capable of human emotion?
MACBETH
If we should fail? - Macbeth feels that the plan is futile
LADY MACBETH
We fail! - Lady Macbeth is absolutely sertain that nothing will fail, furthermore this is encouraging and building Macbeth up to co mit the murder, because she is making the murder seem foolproof and successful
But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
60
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep-- - she says that if Macbeth gets his courage up then he will not fail, this again is implying that Macbeth lacks courage, lady Macbeth makes it seem like she is the masculine one out of her and Macbeth
Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
Soundly invite him--his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason -she intends to get the servants drunk and make them forget everything
A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
70
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell? - Lady Macbeth simplifies the murder of King Duncan by saying that the immediate accusations will be pointed towards the servants, and whilst they are drunk and passed out, Macbeth will be free to do whatever he wants and will get away with it. This will make it hard for Macbeth to refuse a plan that is seemingly as easy in nature than previously thought. Lady Macbeth brushes of the possible complications and says that nothing can go wrong, and he will be stupid if he cant do a plan this simple. Manipulation drives Macbeth to accept something that is not of his own free will, he obviously does not want to murder King Duncan, but he is instead a puppet of Lady Macbeth, he isn't free.
MACBETH
Bring forth men-children only; - Macbeth wishes for Lady Macbeth to only give birth to male children
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, - Macbeth is praising Lady Macbeth for her fearlessnes that she instills in people around her, and he says that she should only bear male children for she cant create anything that isnt masculine. The change of heart in Macbeth's decision is obvious, his shift in personality has changed dramatically, and he is no longer free, for he has been manipulated into doing something that wasn’t his intention to actually do. From here on out things can only spiral down, for he is under Lady Mcbeth's control
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,
That they have done't? - Macbeth is now becoming a bit cocky and over estimating his ability on committing this murder. He says who wouldn’t accuse the servants of having murdered the king.
LADY MACBETH
Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
Upon his death? - Lady Macbeth is content with the fact that Macbeth is now going through with the murder, she is being sarcastic by saying that they will be "grieving" loudly when King Duncan dies. To Lady Macbeth order has been "restored" as she seems much more joking and calm about the murder of King Duncan
MACBETH
I am settled, and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
80
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know. - The repetition of the word false makes this decision seem definite, his emotion is a mixture of ambition and greed. He seems happy about the murder, as he says to display a pleasant false face what you know in your false, evil heart