To what extent is Macbeth responsible for King Duncan's death?

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To what extent is Macbeth responsible for King Duncan’s death?

In the tragedy of Macbeth there seems to be only one real threat to the King – Macbeth himself. Though as you will eventually come to realize, Macbeth is the least of Duncan’s worries…

The Witches

The fact that we are introduced to the witches in the very first scene must have significance, as I have noticed from other Shakespeare plays, such as a Midsummer Night’s Dream, that Shakespeare often inserts characters at strategic moments for a very good reason.  

The witches are also the main catalyst for Macbeth's actions towards the King, as they are the people who first gave Macbeth ideas of grandeur;

“All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis!”

“All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!”

“All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.”  

        (Act one Scene three)

I get the impression that the witches are almost against the King and therefore against the natural order of events. This is important in answering the question ‘To what extent is Macbeth responsible…’ because it could be argued that the witches controlled Macbeth's thoughts, and he wasn’t responsible for his own actions when killing the King.  

Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is an excellent character in Macbeth. She is contrary to many of the stereotypical views of Shakespeare’s time; instead of being the ‘innocent flower’ she was the ‘serpent under’t’. We cannot forget that this play was written some five hundred years ago and a woman who acted in the same manner as Lady Macbeth would not be the ‘norm’.

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In Act one Scene five, we are introduced to Lady Macbeth and we immediately see her for what she is.

After finishing the letter sent from Macbeth about the three ‘weird sisters’ Lady Macbeth’s ambition is sent into overdrive;

“Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be

  What thou art promised…”

(Act one Scene five)

From this moment Lady Macbeth is intent on making Macbeth the King and she will stop at nothing to do so. Her only problem is Macbeth;

“…yet do I fear thy nature;

  It is too full ...

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