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Guilt In Macbeth

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Macbeth: The man at Fault for his Crimes Murder is the killing of a human being without a lawful excuse and is often influenced by external or internal forces. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the ruthless series of murders committed by Macbeth stems from his external and internal influences. Firstly, naivety allows the character to be manipulated which then affects actions and decisions throughout the play which end up leading to their downfall. Secondly, ambition helps the character gain a desire for power and in the play where many of the murders are committed because of the character’s ambition. Thirdly, guilt causes one to see the consequences of their actions and soon regret what they have done. In the Shakespearean tragedy, …show more content…

In this example, Macbeth is with the three witches who give him his second apparition which reveals that Macbeth will not be killed by anyone born from a woman. Macbeth then confidently assumes, “Then live Macduff, what I need fear of thee?” (4.1.79). It is dramatically ironic that Macbeth comments “what do I need to fear of thee” because we know Macduff technically is not born from a woman, which makes him Macbeth’s biggest threat. Macbeth is naive though and doesn’t see Macduff as a threat. “Then live Macduff” subtly foreshadows Macduff killing Macbeth and also shows Macbeth’s confidence as he believes Macduff will not fight him. This shows Macbeth’s naivety to believe in the witches' prophecies makes him think he is invincible, which is why he murdered Duncan. Macbeth is not only naive to believe the witches, he shows his naivety right before committing the murder. After Banquo leaves Macbeth’s Castle, Macbeth soliloquies to himself before going to murder Duncan. Macbeth soliloquies "Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee!" (2.1.33-35). Macbeth’s apostrophe towards the dagger shows his eagerness to “clutch thee”. Shakespeare's use of violent imagery with the dagger represents the murder Macbeth is about to commit. Macbeth shows naivety as he is eager to commit the murder, yet does not see the consequences of what it can bring. Because of Macbeth’s naivety, it touches into his ambition which starts his murder

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