Macbeth: Act I Scene III Soliloquy

     In the first Macbeth Soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 3, Lines 130 to 153, Macbeth is speaking or thinking to himself about what Angus and Ross have told him in comparison to what the witches have said. Previously, the witches have told Macbeth and Banquo that Banquo's sons will be kings and he will be lesser than Macbeth, but greater and not as happy as Macbeth, but happier. They tell Macbeth that he is thane of Glamis, will become the thane of Cawdor and that he will be the future king, giving him past present and future. Macbeth has just received the news that he is now the thane of Cawdor, proving the truth to the witches' prophecy.

     In the soliloquy, Macbeth is thinking to himself about the witches' prophecy. He reflects on how two of the three predictions have come true, and how these events could lead to him to becoming king. He isn't sure whether to believe the witches are good or evil. He believes that the witches cannot be bad because he is being promoted and has already became than of Cawdor as well as thane of Glamis. He also thinks that it cannot be good because he could possibly have to murder King Duncan to become king. He states that "Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,/ Against the use of nature" (line 139-140 Act 1 Scene 3) meaning that the thoughts of having to kill King Duncan make Macbeth's hair stand on end and his heart beat against his chest. He doesn't like the idea of committing this murder, although he has just came from a war where he committed many murders. This is because it was seen in this time period that a king was appointed his duties by God and killing a member of the religious family would be sacrilegious or showing a lack of respect towards sacred beings or objects. By killing the king he would be guilty and could be sent to hell. 

     He continues to be horrified by his thoughts and decides that he cannot comprehend what actually killing the king would do to his self and his conscience. Macbeth makes a decision that he will not kill the king based on a prophecy that may or may not be true. Macbeth decides that he will only act if he truly believes the murder was meant to happen, instead of acting based on an idea that someone has put in his head. He makes the decision to leave the possibility of being king up to faith. Macbeth says, "Come what may,/ Time and the hour runs through the roughest day." This means that what will happen will happen and even the worst of days will come to an end. This soliloquy is the how Macbeth feels about his thoughts of murder and the result of this conflict is that he will leave his destiny to be king up to fate.