Macbeth shows that he is willing to kill the king because he is interested in the witches predictions after they tell him that he is going to become the ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and then King. This is shown by the quote ‘Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more’ (act 1, scene 3, Page 30). Macbeth knows that there is already a ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and he obviously knows that there is also a King that are both still alive and well.
Macbeth believes in the witch’s predictions about him becoming Thane of Cawdor and King, and Banquo fathering a long line of kings because the messengers have come from King Duncan to congratulate him on becoming the new Thane of Cawdor. Becoming Thane of Cawdor was one of the witch’s predictions for him and he now believes that the second part of his predictions will come true. When Macbeth is talking to Banquo after the witches have disappeared and the messengers have come to congratulate him, he asks Banquo if he wishes that his predictions would come true after Macbeth’s have. This is shown by the quote ‘Do you not hope your children shall be kings, when those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me promise no less to them’ (act 1, scene 3, page 31).
Macbeth thinks about killing the king when an image comes into his head. It makes his hair stand on end but it is only a fantasy that his mind has created. The quote for this point is ‘why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, and make my seated heart knock at my ribs, against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings: My thought, whose murder is yet but fantastical’ (act 1, scene 3, page 32).
Macbeth shows his fury with Malcolm about being in his way when he hears that Malcolm is heir to the throne instead of him. With Malcolm the heir to the throne, Macbeth will have to kill not only King Duncan but also Malcolm as well. His fury is shown by the quote ‘The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’er-leap, for in my way it lies.’ (act 1, scene 3, page 34).
Macbeth makes up his mind to kill Duncan. The quote ‘I am settled’ (act 1, scene 3, page 40) shows that his mind is straight and fixed on the thought of murdering the king. He then quotes ‘False face must hide what the false heart doth know.’ (act 1, scene 7, page 41) and Lady Macbeth says ‘look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.’ (act 1, scene 5, page 37). This means that he will be secretive and not show any emotion in his face or body language while the king is staying at his castle.
On the other side of the story, Macbeth is shown to be scared of carrying out the murder.
Macbeth wishes that the king would just die without him doing anything to assist it. The quote ‘If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir.’ (act 1, scene 3, page 32) shows this point well.
Macbeth is indecisive about killing King Duncan because he quickly comes out with the words ‘We will speak no further.’ (act 1, scene 5, page 37). This shows that he does not want to talk about the murder until it is time.
Macbeth would rather skip the murder and jump to the life afterward. ‘We’ld jump the life to come.’ (act 1, scene 6, page 38). This shows that he is reluctant that he ever thought of the idea of becoming king.
Macbeth decides not to kill the king. ‘We will proceed no further in this business’ (act 1, scene 6, page 39). This again shows that he is reluctant that he ever thought of the idea of becoming king.
Macbeth’s mind starts to play tricks on him when he sees a dagger floating in the air in front of him. ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee’ and ‘A dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?’ (act 2, scene 1, page 43). These quotes show that either he has become mentally unstable, or the witches have cast a spell on him to make him carry out the murder.
Macbeth’s character is shown to be having a very hard decision on whether or not to kill king Duncan. Shakespeare uses long sentences with lots of punctuation. This is shown best by the quote “If it were done, when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly”.
Shakespeare also uses long, complicated words close together. This is also shown best by the quote “If it were done, when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly”.
In addition, Shakespeare uses euphemisms to show that Macbeth does not want to mention what he might do. Instead of using words like ‘murder’, Shakespeare uses words like ‘it, deed, business, assassination’ to mention a few.
Lady Macbeth is seen to encourage Macbeth to carry out the murder by a few crafty techniques. She acts very differently to a stereotypical woman in Shakespearian times.
Lady Macbeth thinks that Macbeth is too soft to kill the king. ‘What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature, is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness’ (act 1, scene 5, page 35).
Lady Macbeth is going to have to talk Macbeth into killing king Duncan. The quote that shows this is ‘Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear, and chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round’ (act 1, scene 5, page 35).
Lady Macbeth says she is going to organise the murder so all Macbeth has to do is worry about the actual murder. ‘This night’s great business into my dispatch… Leave the rest to me’. (act 1, scene 5, page 37).
Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth a coward to make him change his mind and encourage him to carry out the murder. ‘And live a coward’ (act 1, scene 7, page 40).
Lady Macbeth uses persuasive techniques to make Macbeth change his mend like she would rather kill her own baby than break her word to Macbeth. ‘I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me – I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums, and dashed the brains out, had I sworn as you have done to this.’ (act 1, scene 7, page 41).
The witches are another influence in the story that could change Macbeth’s mind on whether to kill king Duncan.
At the start of the play, the three witches are together chanting a spell on Macbeth. This shows that Macbeth would not have the power to override the spell and would succumb to their spell.
After examining the evidence, I have concluded that Macbeth was not wholly responsible for the murder of king Duncan because there were other influences that he could not prevent.
