The quote "If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly" from Act 1, Scene 7 of Shakespeare's Macbeth encapsulates a pivotal moment of internal conflict for Macbeth as he grapples with the concepts of fate and guilt.
At this stage in the play, Macbeth is contemplating the murder of King Duncan, a moral and ethical line that he is wrestling with crossing. The phrase reflects his desire to eliminate the moral weight of his contemplated action by wishing it could be accomplished swiftly and without consequence. He realizes that the act of murder is a means to an end—the securing of his ambition, prophecy, and fate as foretold by the witches—but he is painfully aware that this destiny is fraught with moral implications and dire repercussions.
The theme of fate in Macbeth is complex. The witches' prophecies set the stage for Macbeth's ambitions and actions, suggesting that his rise to power is predestined. However, Macbeth's struggle reveals an essential aspect of fate: it does not preclude free will. His decision-making power remains intact, and he is haunted by the guilt that arises from the knowledge that he has the choice to act or not. While the witches may have predicted his ascent, it is his own ambition, spurred by Lady Macbeth, that drives him to consider murder.
As the play unfolds, Macbeth's choice leads not only to the fulfillment of the witches' prophecies but also to his own moral decay and eventual downfall. Each step he takes to secure his fate is accompanied by guilt, paranoia, and the realization that his actions disrupt the natural order, leading to chaos both in his mind and the kingdom. The sense of guilt becomes a central theme; it haunts him, manifesting in visions, madness, and ultimately, his tragic end.
In summary, this quote illustrates Macbeth's recognition of the tension between his ambition (a potential fulfillment of fate) and the moral ramifications of his actions (the guilt that ensues). It signifies a moment of hesitation where he acknowledges that while taking swift action might lead to the realization of his desires, it also plunges him into a labyrinth of guilt that will define his tragic arc.