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The scene begins with a soliloquy in which Macbeth contemplates the action of killing Duncan. When Lady Macbeth enters, what decision does he...

Macbeth is experiencing an inner conflict about killing King Duncan; his soliloquy reflects that.  He thinks through the consequences of killing the king step by step.  The first, and most important, consequence is his immortal soul.  Macbeth knows that murder, no matter how secret, will not escape God’s notice “Bloody instructions, which being taught, return/To plague th’ inventor” (Act I, Scene vii).  Macbeth knows that although he may not face consequences on earth, he will...

Macbeth is experiencing an inner conflict about killing King Duncan; his soliloquy reflects that.  He thinks through the consequences of killing the king step by step.  The first, and most important, consequence is his immortal soul.  Macbeth knows that murder, no matter how secret, will not escape God’s notice “Bloody instructions, which being taught, return/To plague th’ inventor” (Act I, Scene vii).  Macbeth knows that although he may not face consequences on earth, he will face them in the afterlife.  He is also worried about his relationship to the King.  Macbeth says he should not betray the king because not only is he the King’s subject, but he is also Duncan’s cousin and host.  Finally, Macbeth reasons that Duncan has been such a good king that his assassination will cause a huge outcry. “…tears shall drown the wind” (Act I, Scene vii).  As a result of these very good reasons not to kill the King, Macbeth’s announcement to Lady Macbeth is: “We shall proceed no further in this business” (Act I, Scene vii). He tells his wife that Duncan has honored him and people currently have a high opinion of him.  He doesn’t want to change that.  Unfortunately for Macbeth, his wife does not agree.

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