By careful study of the play decide, in committing Duncan's murder how far Macbeth is driven by his own ambition; how far he is dominated by his wife's; and how far he is influenced by the witches.

Macbeth was scripted in 1606 by William Shakespeare. The play was written to engage an Elizabethan audience, and, specifically, King James 1. During this essay, I will explore some of the key factors which may have influenced Macbeth to kill Duncan and gain kingship. These include the equivocal prophesies of the witches, how he may have driven himself to commit the deed, and the extent to which Macbeth was pressured into the murder by his wife, Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth was driven by his own ambition into killing king Duncan. He was prepared to do such deeds so he could gain kingship and become a greater man. We can tell this, not only because of the ambition associated with men of power and position like Macbeth, but also by what he said in Act 1, Scene 7: " I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more, is none."

The fact that Macbeth actually committed the murder suggests that he must accept primary responsibility. Nobody else took the dagger, placed it in Macbeth's hand and stabbed at King Duncan. He did it himself. He was also responsible for planning the murder with his wife, Lady Macbeth. In act 1, scene 5, after Macbeth sends the letter. Lady Macbeth says: "bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under 't."
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Lady Macbeth is a very manipulative woman who would do anything to increase her husband's power and influence. Here, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to act friendly and welcoming on the outside, while on the inside the true person, who will be the murderer, lies. This shows they plan the murder together and indicates how Macbeth will act when Duncan arrives.

Macbeth was Thane of Glamis, and then got told by the witches that he would be Thane of Cawdor, followed by King of Scotland: "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail, Macbeth! Hail ...

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