Act 1, Scene 7 Summary

Macbeth, in soliloquy, states very clearly that it is not the time to kill Duncan. He will very likely, if committing this crime, be forced to take the "poison'd chalice" to his own lips. He is both a precious kinsman to Duncan as well as his host. Besides this, Duncan has been such a great and true king to his people that the tears following his death would "drown the wind." But Macbeth's caution does not sit well with his "dear partner," Lady Macbeth, who furiously chides him for his fastidiousness in taking action, implying even that he is a rank coward. She would tear her child from her own breast and dash its brains out if she had made the promises that Macbeth has made. Her plan is to drug Duncan's chamberlains with wine and kill Duncan with their daggers...