In Shakespeare's "Macbeth", which character or characters bear most responsibility for the death of Duncan? Discuss

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In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, which character or characters bear most responsibility for the death of Duncan? Discuss.

Shakespeare’s drama “Macbeth” was first performed in 1603 and appears to celebrate the accession to the English throne of King James I, who was believed to be the descendant of one of the plays characters, Banquo. The plot originates from the ancient Scottish story of King Macbeth of Scotland. Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis, and holds the position of general in the king’s army. He is tempted with the prospect of becoming king himself by three witches he meets on a heath. This creates an internal moral dilemma which is exacerbated after he writes to his wife, informing her of his experiences. This compels her to exert pressure upon him, and give orders and ultimatums; and so on the surface Macbeth appears to be a victim of external forces. With this in mind I intend to examine these characters in turn to see who bears the greatest blame for the death of King Duncan.

This play was intended for King James I’s attention. We know this through the use of Scotland, James’ homeland, as a backdrop to the story and the characterisation of his ancestor, Banquo. The characters of the three "weird sisters" are intended as a reference to King James’ obsession with witches and witchcraft. In his treatise “Daemonologie” (1597) he wrote of them as demonic supernatural beings who served a purpose as tempters. According to him, their purpose was the damnation of their victim’s soul. Their role as tempters in the play relates to James’ belief that God may test people, even the “best” (“God will permit so to be tempted or troubled”), and this demonstrates that the witches’ motives for targeting Macbeth was not merely a cruel trick but may be seen as part of a greater design in which he is to be tested by God. This demonstrates that even a hero must be subjected to temptation (“and euen some of the best, that their patience may bee tryed before the world”). Though the witches are malevolent, they could possibly be instruments of God (rather than the Devil as suggested in Act 3 Scene 5, where the character of Hecate comes to direct the witches; however, this character is probably a later interpolation by another writer, as the  Folio was printed seven years after Shakespeare’s death). Macbeth’s subsequent failing through succumbing to temptation and killing Duncan is not the fault of God nor the witches, but himself. This illustrates the ubiquitous nature of temptation, and shows that all people are plagued with their own demons of desire; however these demons cannot be blamed for leading their victims astray because the responsibility lies with the person who chooses not to resist temptation.

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We must deal with the possibility that the witches possessed Macbeth, and that he may not be responsible for his actions. The frequent use of the word “rapt”, which comes from “rapture”, suggests the transportation of the soul. This is seen in the play when Banquo comments on Macbeth’s appearance upon being told he is to be the new thane of Cawdor; (“Look, how our partner’s rapt”). However his subsequent actions prove he is capable of free will (“We will proceed no further in this business”) and that he is therefore responsible for his actions. In conclusion, Macbeth is ...

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