Macbeth; Who Was Responsible For His Actions?
...He deeply respected him and would have provided him safety anyway possible. Macbeth was later on rewarded for his victory against their enemies. For his bravery, he was crowned Thane of Cawdor, hence fulfilling part of the prophecy. Contentment filled Macbeth after hearing this unexpected news. He started to consider the possibility that the rest of the prophecy might turn into reality. His ambitions swayed him to think of ideas that would not normally run through his head. Macbeth was left indecisive and turned to the person he trusted the most, his wife. Lady Macbeth played the manly role in the play Macbeth. She was portrayed as a stronger character than her husband and showed much determination. Macbeth sent a letter announcing his encounter with the weird sisters, along with the prophecies that were foretold and about him being crowned the Thane of Cawdor. After reading the letter that Macbeth sent to Lady Macbeth, she was filled with excitement. She perceived that they would have to act upon the prophecy in order for it to come true. She did not believe that it would come on its own, but instead actions must be done and will be done. Like Macbeth, Lady Macbeth had her own aspirations to rule. She wanted Macbeth to be crowned king; in turn making her queen. Just like her husband, she desired for power. Her ambitions motivated her to manipulate Macbeth. It was Lady Macbeth who persuaded her husband to murder the king in order for him to grab hold of the throne. Macbeth was hesitant on killing King Duncan since he had no other motive but his ambitions. The King was well liked in his kingdom and was known as a righteous ruler. Regardless of Macbeth’s uncertainties, Lady Macbeth’s manipulation over him succeeded. She swayed him into thinking that if he does not murder the king, then he is not a real man: “What beast was’t then that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both.” (1.7.48-53) The above quote questions Macbeth’s manhood. Despite his objections, Macbeth had to do what he must, since he did not want to seem like a coward. For that reason, the King's murder was executed, fulfilling the prophecy. This was where Macbeth’s killings started. With this one murder, further killings came about. Macbeth’s consuming ambitions helped initiate his downfall. The assassination of King Duncan created Macbeth’s root of evil; this is where all his killings began. He remembered the prophecy that Banquo’s family has the possibility to sit on the throne. Hence, Macbeth senses that he had the need to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, to eliminate further threats to the throne, so he hired murderers to do his dirty work. The murderers were successful with killing Banquo, but failed to kill Fleance. This infuriated Macbeth, but he could not do anything about it. Along with this came other problems. Macduff had run off to England to join with Malcolm to request for assistance to overthrow Macbeth. Macbeth was informed of their plot and was provoked to send troops to invade Macduff’s castle and kill his wife and his son: “The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool; This deed I’...