Before in ACT I SCENE VI
King Duncan, the Scottish
lords, and their attendants arrive outside Macbeth’s castle. Duncan praises the
castle’s pleasant environment, and he thanks Lady Macbeth, who has emerged to
greet him, for her hospitality. She replies that it is her duty to be hospitable
since she and her husband owe so much to their king. Duncan then asks to be
taken inside to Macbeth, whom he professes to love dearly
in ACT I SCENE VII
Macbeth is contemplating the murder of King Duncan. And it gets a little complicated. See, if it were simply a matter of killing the king and then moving on without consequences, it wouldn't be a big issue. The problem is what happens afterward. It's even worse, because murdering Duncan in Macbeth's own home would be a serious violation of hospitality. He's supposed to protect the king, not murder him. Plus, Duncan is a good king and heaven is bound to frown upon murdering such a decent fellow. In the end, Macbeth decides that it's probably not a good idea to commit murder. He has no justifiable cause to kill the king and he admits that he's merely ambitious. And then Lady Macbeth enters.She gives him a good tongue-lashing, questions his manhood, and lays out the plan to get Duncan's guards drunk and frame them for the murder. If Macbeth can't keep his vow, she says, then he isn't a man. Macbeth is a little turned on by this show of strength, and he finally resolves to go through with the murder.