I believe that Macbeth is a man that gives the impression to his allies that he is a good person and engages trust, so that when he does kill Duncan no-one will suspect that he committed the crime and will also seem a better candidate for the choice of king. At the beginning of act one, scene two, the army are assembled beside a bleeding sergeant. Everyone is praising his bravery. “This is the sergeant, who like a good and hardy soldier fought ‘gainst my captivity…” But the wounded man is being very modest and tilting all the credit onto Macbeth himself. “For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name – disainding fortune with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valour’s minion carved out his passage…” He then goes on to say “Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops…”
The passage suggests that Macbeth displayed pluck and valour, ignoring the risks of the situation and the obvious threat to his life, confronted the enemy and ruthlessly sliced him in two. Macbeth also fought valiantly to resist the rebellion against Duncan from Norway. As reward, he is given title of “Thane of Cawdor.” Macbeth is inclined to believe that if he continues to make a good impression on the king, then it will be much easier to murder him as he would be totally unsuspecting.
Equivocations are a factor that is present throughput the play. These statements are deliberately vague and the audience is able to interpret these in many different ways. When Macbeth equivocates, it indicates that he is only partly telling the truth and that he is having doubts on whether killing Duncan is morally right. Working in tandem with the equivocations are soliloquies – when a character is alone on stage revealing his thoughts. In act one, scene three, Shakespeare combines both these dramatic methods, in which Macbeth recognises that killing Duncan is definitely wrong, but also recognises the advantages to be gained.
“Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair…Whose murder is yet but fantastical.”
Macbeth wants to quell these doubts and commit the murder, because he knows that great rewards will be reaped. Also Macbeth feels that is he doesn’t go through with the plan, it will be a let down to his ego – he isn’t living up to the reputation that he has established.
In act one, scene four, King Duncan is talking to Malcolm (who is given the title of Prince of Cumberland – to be the next king). Malcolm addresses king Duncan with respect and admiration. Macbeth is now even more determined to become king as he now has two contenders to the throne. The decision of the king angers Macbeth, as in his own eyes Malcolm hasn’t displayed any courage so he asks himself the question “Why should he be king and not me?” Duncan also states “Not unaccompanied invest him only,” which means that it is not only Malcolm that will receive reward for his service! This just fuel’s Macbeth’s original thought – that achieving his objective is not far away. This is the stage that the doubts portrayed in the soliloquies are displaced, and Macbeth faces up to his evil thoughts as something that needs to be done.
In scene five, Lady Macbeth is introduced into the equation. She reads out a letter sent to her by Macbeth. I believe that by reading it, Lady Macbeth is excited by all the benefits to be reaped from being the wife of a king, but is disappointed that the “man” she married fails to show the courage needed to fulfil her desires. The letter is a summary of the witches speech. Macbeth says “I have learnt by the perfect’st report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge.” This means that he has carried out research into the validity of the witches predictions and the findings would suggest that the witches were telling the truth. This has confirmed for him his initial thoughts of his future role in the country – acting as more fuel for the already blazing fire. This is why there is no doubt in both their minds that the witches may have been lying, and that it is essential for their own well being to kill Duncan.
Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth is pre-occupied with the well being of others instead of himself. He is not without ambition, but the evil that is needed to compliment it. She uses a persuasive technique, referring to Macbeth as her dearest partner in greatness. This indicates that Lady Macbeth is attracted deeply to her husband when she thinks of Macbeth killing Duncan and becoming king. This point is emphasised when watching the Macbeth video, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Lady Macbeth caresses and touches Macbeth, making him feel loved and valued. This would make Macbeth feel that if he did not follow his instinct, his wife would stop admiring him and lose respect.
A messenger then brings news that the king will be coming to stay at her own residence. She is confused, as she knows what Macbeth’s plan is and there will be a perfect opportunity to go through with it. The witches statement now seems reality to Lady Macbeth, so she chants witches spells, telling the spirits to fill her evil body with cruelty, evil passion and the will to murder. She also wants the night to come quickly, so the murder can be committed as soon as possible so that the dream can be realised. We realise just how much Lady Macbeth wants her husband to become king when she says, “That my keen knife see not the wound it makes.” It is as if she wants to commit the murder herself in theory, but in reality wants to see if the gallant claims she has put on Macbeth are justified.
I believe that the pair is able to murder Duncan because they always have an honourable excuse to murder, so to validate their crime. For example Macbeth has no problem in cutting someone from the knave to the chops, but cannot kill Duncan without a legitimate justification. In retrospect, Lady Macbeth is trying to clear her conscience of the murder as she wouldn’t have been able to do it without the evil spirits filling her. When Lady Macbeth first sees Macbeth, she pronounces ‘All hail hereafter!” Importantly, Macbeth sees how excited his wife is, and will not want to let her down.
Here Iambic pentameter comes in again. Lady Macbeth says “the future in the instant,” then Macbeth cuts in hastily with “My dearest love,” completing the 10 syllables. This shows that Macbeth knows that being king is within touching distance, but at the back of his mind he still has some niggling doubts. “He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people.” Macbeth does not want to murder a person who he holds in such high esteem – and regards as a mentor. Lady Macbeth then says something that is proof for previous assumptions. “When you durst do it, then you were a man.” This is said to Macbeth in hope of diminishing the fears he holds, saying that Macbeth was a man when planning the murder, but if the threats prove to be idol then you no longer are a man. She then goes onto say that she would have rather have bashed her baby’s brain out then fail in the mission (presumably they had a child who passed away). This is meant to emotionally shake Macbeth and force him into killing Duncan, so as to regain his manhood. Macbeth then decides he will commit the murder when he takes into consideration what events occurred outside the castle a few moments before. The king greets Lady Macbeth and treats her like a queen. He then says “conduct me to mine host, we love him highly and shall continue our graces towards him.” Lady Macbeth thinks that the murder should definitely be committed now, as Macbeth has done enough to gain his total trust.
Macbeth then begins the soliloquy in that he finds an excuse to kill the king. “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly.” This is saying if the murder is to be committed, it should be done straight away and no evidence should be left. He then describes the king. “Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office. “Macbeth recognises that King Duncan used his authority as king in such a modest fashion, free from any corruption. Macbeth, on saying this then thinks “if a person of such a high stature has these qualities, and he respects me so much, then maybe I should be king!”
I find it interesting how Lady Macbeth can twist around the metaphors (using one word to describe another object), and turn the argument into her own favour -persuading Macbeth to do what she wants. For example, Macbeth puts himself in the position of king and says, “Opinions would be worn in their newest gloss, not cast aside so soon.” He is saying that there is no need to kill the king as they themselves as a couple are gaining plenty of respect as it is.
Lady Macbeth twists the metaphor around, saying, “was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?” This is very clever as she shows wit and intelligence to quickly tilt the scales in her favour. She is saying that in effect, Macbeth’s promise might as well have been made when he was drunk, as he cannot face what he said he would do. She then goes on to emotionally disturb Macbeth, by saying “Such I account thy love?” This means that if Macbeth doesn’t murder Duncan, she will assume that he married her out of a drunken act. The final blow is delivered when she says “…to look so green and pale, at what did it so freely?” Again, she questions Macbeth’s manhood, saying that he felt very grand at making these plans, but when ordered to execute the plans he shrivels away in fright. As we know, Macbeth takes on pride on what he does on the battlefield – it enhances his reputation of being the leader. So when his own wife questions what Macbeth his mostly proud of, then he is sure to feel that murder is the only option. It is interesting to notice that lady Macbeth has the wit to turn around Macbeth’s metaphors, but has not the common sense to see the consequences of murdering the king.
Macbeth’s final soliloquy before the murder spurs him to go and stab Duncan several times in the chest. He sees a hallucination of a dagger in front of him. It is as if the handle is slowly approaching the clasp of his hand. Blood drops appear on the blade – in Macbeth’s eyes the blood of Duncan. A bell rings. It is the signal for him to come out of his hypnotic trance and murder king Duncan. Not only will it hold the key to the throne, but will also unlock his pride, his wife and his manhood.
