To what extent is Macbeth responsible for the events of the play?

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To what extent is Macbeth responsible for the events of the play?

    I think that Macbeth, the main character in the play, is mainly responsible for the events that occur, but there are other characters – the witches and Lady Macbeth, which play an important part in the murder of King Duncan.  

  The witches’ prophecy started the idea of becoming King in Macbeth’s mind.

The first witch says: “All hail Macbeth hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!”

When the witches said this, Macbeth wondered how they knew who he was, and this perhaps earned them a little trust.

The second witch says: “All hail Macbeth hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!”


 Macbeth could not imagine how this could be true. Even when told that he is now Thane of Cawdor, he still doubts it, “The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” His trust in the Witches is increased after the second prophecy comes true. “What can the devil speak true?” This shows surprise from Banquo at it coming true but he realises it could be a trick. Macbeth then starts to wonder whether the third prophecy could possibly come true: “All hail Macbeth that shalt be King hereafter!” But he does not even think about killing Duncan, “If chance will have me King, why chance may crown me without my stir.”
He is prepared to sit back and let fate decide whether he is to become King.
  The witches’ prophecies are responsible for starting off the idea of Macbeth becoming King.
  The fi

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rst time he might even have considered murder is when the King appoints Malcolm as the Prince of Cumberland.

 

The Prince of Cumberland – that is a step on which I must                                    fall down, or else o’erleap. For in my way it lies. Stars hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires.

  Now that Malcolm has been appointed the next King there is less chance of fate deciding whether or not he is to become ...

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