Norwegians. The death was in battle and thought of as a success. The death of Young Siward at the
end of the play, however, was thought of as a total contrast to that of Macdonald’s. At this moment in
time Macbeth was a tyrant and Young Siward was on the good side with Macduff trying to stop
Macbeth in his ways. This all goes to show how Macbeth had changed.
If Macbeth was on his own with nobody to influence him otherwise, would he have committed
these crimes? You may argue no. He was a very nice man to begin with. He was brave, he was loyal and
his own wife said he was too kind. Macbeth realised that killing Duncan was a bad idea before he had
committed the murder. “HE’S HERE IN DOUBLE TRUST: FIRST I AM HIS KINSMAN AND HIS
SUBJECT; WHO SHOULD AGAINST THE MURDERER SHUT THE DOOR, NOT BEAR THE KNIFE
MYSELF.” He realises Duncan has done nothing wrong and he is a good king. “HATH BEEN SO
CLEAR IN HIS GREAT OFFICE.” These two statements are made in soliloquy and so they state his
own deepest thoughts with nobody to instruct him otherwise. He tells Lady Macbeth a number of times
that he does not want to do it. “WE WILL PROCEED NO FURTHER IN THIS BUSINESS. HE HATH
HONOURED ME OF LATE, AND I HAVE BOUGHT GOLDEN OPINIONS FROM ALL SORTS OF
PEOPLE.” After he commits the murder he has second thoughts whether he should have done it or not.
“I’M AFRAID TO THINK ON WHAT I’VE DONE; LOOK ON’T AGAIN, I DARE NOT. He then wishes
Duncan is alive again, “WAKE DUNCAN WITH THY KNOCKING, I WISH THOU COULDST.”
Macbeth regrets what he has done and he admits it. “MY WAY OF LIFE IS FALLEN INTO THE
SERE,THE YELLOW LEAF.” He also describes his life as a “BRIEF CANDLE.” On the other hand you
may argue yes. After Macbeth has committed the murder of Duncan and his two chamberlains, he fears
for his own safety. He then delegates the murder of Banquo and his son Fleance, “TO MAKE THEM
KINGS, THE SEEDS OF BANQUO KINGS, RATHER THAN SO, COME FATE INTO THE LIST.”
Macbeth also realises that he has the opportunity to become King. He loves the thought of power, he
has “VAULTING AMBITION.”
What would you think would have happened if the supernatural influence had never taken
place. The three witches just fooled around with Macbeth. They do not just cast a spell on him so that
he can die straight away, but they place thoughts and ideas in his mind that prove to be a distraction to
him and which make him do wrong. They make it as if a storm is going on in his mind. “THOUGH HIS
BOAT CAN NOT BE LOST, YET IT SHALL BE TEMPEST-TOSSED.” The witches tell him what he
wants to hear. “THANE OF GLAMIS,” then “THANE OF CAWDOR,” then he shall become “KING
HEREAFTER.” This triggers Macbeth’s ambition and sets him off on his killing spree. The witches are
sadistic and malevolent. They sew the seed that rattles him. If they were not to say he would be King
hereafter, then he would not have opened his killing account. The witches palter with Macbeth in a
“DOUBLE SENSE.” One of the Apparitions was, in Act 1 Scene 4 said “FOR NONE OF WOMAN BORN
WILL HARM MACBETH.” This was a trick because Macbeth did not to know that Macduff was born
by Caesarean section. This resulted in Macbeth’s premature death at the hands of Macduff.
To what extent did Lady Macbeth influence Macbeth? Lady Macbeth was an evil woman.
“COME YOU SPIRITS, THAT TEND ON MORTAL THOUGHTS, UNSEX ME HERE AND FILL ME
FROM THE CROWN TO THE TOE TOP FULL OF DIREST CRUELTY.” She wants to be a man, a very
powerful man. She wants to rule and have the power to become like a witch. Macbeth insists to Lady
Macbeth that he does not want to go through with the murder of Duncan, but Lady Macbeth black-
mails him into doing it. “I HAVE GIVEN SUCK AND KNOW HOW TENDER ‘TIS TO LOVE THE BABE
WHO MILKS ME. I WOULD HAVE PLUCKED MY NIPPLE FROM ITS BONELESS GUMS AND
DASHED THE BRAINS OUT, HAD I SO SWORN AS YOU HAVE DONE TO THIS.” This is the
cruellest of Lady Macbeth. She has her power and now she can plan everything out for Macbeth.
“WHEN DUNCAN IS ASLEEP... SHOULD INVITE HIS TWO CHAMBERLAINS, WHILE I WINE AND
WAISSOL SO CONVINCE... TH’UNGUARDED DUNCAN, HIS SPONGY OFFICERS, WHO SHALL
BEAR THE GUIL OF OUR GREAT QUELL.” After Lady Macbeth taunts and interrogates Macbeth, he
is persuaded and immediately he commits a volte-face and goes along with the murder. If Lady Macbeth
had not interrogated him, then would he have committed the crime? Throughout the early part of the
play, Lady Macbeth is always more in control of 6the situation than Macbeth.
If Macbeth had been acting alone and not have been influenced by supernatural forces or lady
Macbeth, would he have committed the murders he did? My conclusion is No! Even if the witches were
just tricking Macbeth, I firmly believe that he would still have murdered as he did, because Lady
Macbeth had the final say in the matter.
Three witches plus Lady Macbeth equal Evil, and Macbeth could not resist that evil, especially
since he harboured “VAULTING AMBITION” and “BLACK AND DEEP DESIRES” himself.
