- lines 55 - 58.
Faced with this startling bit of information , with the completion of the second prophesy, he writes to his wife at his home in Inverness (Act 1 Scene 5). Upon receiving and reading the letter, Lady Macbeth is determined to let the third prophesy come true. While the King in the previous scene had praised Macbeth's sense of loyalty and honour, Lady Macbeth sees these qualities as obstacles to obtaining the crown:.
"Yet do I fear nature;.
It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness.
To catch the nearest way".
- lines 17 - 19.
However, she does not believe that Macbeth is capable of taking action directly (the murder of Duncan) without some convincing. (At this convenient time, the King happens to decide to drop by.).
In scene 7, Macbeth'sgoodness? reaches critical mass and goes through some major ethical changes. In lines 1 to 28, he has second thoughts, he wonders what Duncan has done to him to deserve his death, and decides that he doesn't want to go through with the killing of the King. He tells Lady Macbeth: .
"We will proceed no further in this business: .
He hath honored me of late, and I have bought.
Golden opinions from all sorts of people, .
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, .
Not cast aside so soon" (lines 31 - 35).
Lady Macbeth is able to convince him to not give up the plan and his chances to become king. She tells him that they will not fail. She then tells Macbeth a more detailed plan of the murder (lines 52 - 64).
At the end of Act II scene 1, the murder is carried out,.
.
"'Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor.
shall sleep no more:Macbeth shall sleep no more'" (lines 47 - 48). .
Macbeth can no longer go back to the man he was. His peace of mind (sleep) has left him. He is feeling quite guilty.
Macbeth's hands are covered with blood. Macbeth does not believe that he can clean his hands.
