Soliloquy Analysis - Act 1 Scene7: If It Were Done When 'Tis Done

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly:
If we where to commit this murder then it would be wise to get it done and over with quickly


if the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
If this assisination could trap all the consequences and result in Duncans death and succession to the throne would be a great attainment; but this murder may result in either success or failure.


But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
But here upon this sandbank.


We'd jump the life to come.
If we decide to take this risk, what would happen to us in life after death?


But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor:
If we commit this murder we are still sentenced on earth, in which that the lessons we teach in bloodshed be rebound on the person that started it.


this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips.
This balanced justice recommends the contents/ingrediants of our poisond cup that we drink from.




He's here in double trust;
He's here as a traitor;


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.
First I am here as his relative and subject (one under authority of another) each being strong reasons against the murder; then as his host, who should stop any harm portrayed on Duncan - let alone commit such an act myself.


Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office,
Besides Duncan has exercised his powers humbly and his rein has been free of corruption.


that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind.
Duncans innocence and virtue will cut through the perturbation of horror and angels riding on the wind will let everyone know about the crime against Duncan so that tears of pity will fall like rain.


I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on the other.
The only thing that spurs me on is ambition which vaults to far itself and falls on the other side.






Outside the banqueting hall, Macbeth has second thoughts about the decision to murder Duncan. This soliloquy Macbeth has conflicting emotions on the decision to murder Duncan presenting reasons not to go through with  the ordeal and in the end it seems that he decides to go through with the murder,
"I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on the other."
Although  through out the soliloquy he seems deeply troubled by the idea of killing Duncan considering he is his "kinsmen, subject and host."
Macbeth seems to be torn by guilt not the ramifications of being caught.