After the execution of the Thane of Cawdor, the position is given to Macbeth. The witches predicted this and it confirms to Macbeth that the predictions are genuine. In his letter to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is no longer hiding his thoughts. The possibility that he could be King fuels Macbeth’s confidence. ‘Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it…’ Macbeth is undeniably amazed and delighted by the prospect. All though Macbeth does not speak of murdering Duncan at this point, the notion may have occurred to him. Perhaps becoming Thane of Cawdor indicates to him that he is admired and trusted and therefore would not be suspected of Duncan’s murder.
Having established that it is his destiny to be King, Macbeth is angry and frustrated to hear that Malcolm is to be Prince of Cumberland. Before the announcement, Duncan implies to Macbeth that he shall be heir to the thrown. ‘I have begun to plant thee and will labour to make thee full of growing. ’In his exasperation Macbeth realises that he is destined to become King through unnatural methods. ‘Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires.’ This shows that Macbeth recognises that he will have to commit murder to achieve his aspiration. After hearing the news, Macbeth may have felt resentful towards the King and perhaps less inclined to be loyal. This might make it easier to consider the thought of murdering him. Also, Macbeth is aware that Malcolm, the heir to the throne would be immediately suspected of Duncan’s murder.
It is very apparent that Macbeth has an intimate relationship with his wife. ‘My dearest partner of greatness. ‘The fact that Lady Macbeth is prepared to plot and help Macbeth carry out a murder in order to make him King shows that she is devoted to him. Lady Macbeth’s character is extremely dominant and assertive. ‘…shalt be what thou art promised.’ She does not doubt her ability to bring success to Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is aware at once that she must influence and assist Macbeth because she believes his morals prevent him taking action by himself. ‘What thou wouldst highly, that wouldst thou holily.’
Lady Macbeth summons evil spirits to her. This makes her more effective at persuading Macbeth and way in which she discusses the plot with Macbeth changes. ‘I fear thy nature is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness.’ Previous to the beckoning, compliments Macbeth on his inability to commit the murder. After her chanting, Lady Macbeth mocks her husband’s uncertainties.
When Macbeth confesses his reservations about the murder, Lady Macbeth’s sophisticated and convincing persuasive techniques make Macbeth decide to go ahead. ‘When you durst do it, then you were a man.’ Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he is not a man until he carries out the plan. She knows that this will affect Macbeth because he thinks of himself as a fearless warrior. Lady Macbeth even suggests that she is unable to love him if he is not willing to perform the deed. ‘Such I account thy love.’ She uses Macbeth’s desire to please her to blackmail him. Lady Macbeth ends her speech by telling Macbeth how she intends to carry out the murder. ‘When Duncan is asleep…his two chamberlains will I with wine and wassail…’ This illustrates to Macbeth that everything has been accounted for.
Lady Macbeth leaves little time between revealing to Macbeth her plan of the murder and when he must perform the act. This is done deliberately so that Macbeth does not have much time to consider the plan and change his mind. Also, perhaps Lady Macbeth has equal ambition to be Queen. By bringing Macbeth greatness she is also achieving greatness for herself.
Macbeth is hurried into committing the murder when Duncan unexpectedly arrives at his castle. The time and place is suddenly right and Macbeth realises that this could be his only opportunity. With more time to contemplate, he may have decided against it.
Macbeth is a courageous and successful warrior with a powerful ambition is to be King. The witch’s prophecies give Macbeth hope of his desire being realised. He wants to accept the forecast as true because he wants them to come true. They make him believe that the action he takes to become King is destiny, diverting the blame for his crime away from him.
The witches decide the time of Macbeth’s attempt at sovereignty. When Malcolm becomes Prince of Cumberland the method is decided: Macbeth realises it will not occur justly. Lady Macbeth simply reassured Macbeth: He had already made up his mind to go ahead. He makes her think that he is against it so she will ease the burden on his conscience by persuading him to go ahead. The circumstances of Duncan’s stay at the castle decided the exact time and place.
Ambition drove the whole act and was also responsible for Macbeth’s downfall, the other influences merely triggered the ambition. Had they not occurred, his ambition would have led him to an attempt at the throne at another point in his life.