Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

Had he not resembled by father as he slept...

I had done it (murdered him).

"Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it." Act 2, scene 2, line 12. Spoken by Lady Macbeth just after Macbeth has murdered King Duncan.

Meaning 

• "Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it" - Lady Macbeth is saying she would have killed Duncan herself, but he looked like her father while he was sleeping, which stopped her. 

• Overall interpretation - This line shows that Lady Macbeth, who seemed ruthless earlier, actually has a moment of vulnerability and conscience. 

Exam advice

• Context - This is just after Macbeth returns from murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth had pushed for him to do it, but couldn't bring herself to do it.

• Theme of guilt and humanity - Despite her earlier boldness, this moment shows she's not completely cold or inhuman. 

• Character complexity - Shakespeare adds depth here - Lady Macbeth has limits, and her conscience briefly shows through. 

• Contrast with Macbeth - While Macbeth hesitated but went through with the murder, Lady Macbeth talked boldly but couldn't act. 

• Foreshadowing - This hint of guilt foreshadows her eventual breakdown and madness in act 5.