Why Macbeth Killed Duncan Essay, Research Paper

In Shakespeare s Macbeth there are many answers posed to the question, why Macbeth killed Duncan. Some would say that it was his own quest for power that drove him to kill, while others would say that it was the influence of this power hungry wife. In my opinion Macbeth was driven by his power hungry wife to kill Duncan. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with evidence that Macbeth was driven by his wife to kill Duncan.

Many say that power of suggestion plays a huge role in the actions of people. The first time the reader observes Lady Macbeth s ill intent is in Act I sc. V. She is reading the letter sent to her by Macbeth, the letter describes the predictions told by the witches. The predictions of the witches begin to fuel the ambition of Lady Macbeth. After reading the letter Lady Macbeth is troubled because she fears that her husband is too kind to kill Duncan. Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o th milk of human kindness (Macbeth Act I sc. V). After reading that line the reader can already see her clear intent to make sure her husband goes through with the murder of the King. Lady Macbeth becomes ruthless. Again in Act I sc. V you can she her power and ambition growing. Line 48 she says, Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. After reading this the reader can see that Macbeth is going to be forced to kill Duncan because she is dead set on her husband becoming king. After Macbeth kills Duncan he meets with Lady Macbeth. He is feeling sorry for killing Duncan and he says that to his wife. She is not sorry she says, A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. Macbeth brings the daggers with him to the room, Lady Macbeth orders him to put them back. But he will not comply to her orders, so she takes charge and does it herself. If she did not fuel Macbeth to kill Duncan they why is she so involved in the whole plot. She does fuel Macbeth to kill Duncan this is why she is so involved in the whole plot to kill.

In the beginning on the play Macbeth has a small desire to kill Duncan for his own benefit. But as soon as the Lady Macbeth comes into the picture the plot thickens. Her need for power shows her treachery and ruthlessness. Before Macbeth arrives she already knows that Duncan is not going to leave Inverness alive. Her want for power makes Lady Macbeth ask to be made treacherous. Lady Macbeth can be characterized by her treachery, which is fueled by the predictions of power. It is said that you are whom you associate with. Macbeth becomes a murder after being influenced by his wife. Lady Macbeth is not evil to the core is shown at the end of the play when she plagued by guilt. No one who is completely evil has a guilty conscience. Lady Macbeth let her want for power overcome her. Lady Macbeth had a completely human reaction to the situation she let her wants cloud her judgment. She doesn t realize this until the end of the play.

In Shakespeare s Macbeth is one major character twist, which is the beginning Lady Macbeth seems to be the power hungry one but in the end Macbeth himself possesses the ruthlessness. There are many explanations as to why Macbeth killed Duncan. I feel that he killed him because of his power hungry wife. Throughout the play there are many scenes, which verify my position. Lady Macbeth is not evil but in the beginning of the play she is ruthless and power hungry. She was the original catalyst, which led Macbeth to kill Duncan.