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How Does Macbeth Kill Duncan

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In Act 1 of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth decides to kill Duncan for the sake of solidifying his ego and completing his ambitions. At first, Macbeth was quite hesitant about betraying his loyal friend Duncan and killing him but after talking with Lady Macbeth his thoughts changed. Lady Macbeth made him question his manhood and in doing so attacked his ego, “And live a coward in thine own esteem” (1.7.47). To aid his ego and esteem after being diminished by Lady Macbeth he decides to kill Duncan. We can see proof of this in Macbeth’s response, “I dare do all that may become a man” (1.7.51). In his response to Lady Macbeth, he is defensive, needing to prove himself as a man in society. He was led to believe by Lady Macbeth that
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912 Words | 4 Pages

To continue his family’s name but also assuring he has a lot of power he had to kill King Duncan as shown in Act 2 Scene 1 lines 33-35 Macbeth says “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” this was when he was on his way to murder Duncan. Macbeth also had to murder his companion Banquo and others to keep his ambition going.

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169 Words | 1 Pages

tired of his complaints at the time, Lady Macbeth attempted to murder Duncan herself. But when Lady Macbeth finally got to Duncan's room she found that she could not plunge the dagger into his chest. She found that Duncan actually looked alot like her father. So backing down Lady Macbeth went to Macbeth's room. Once Lady Macbeth got to the room, she confessed that she confessed that she could not kill Duncan because the resemblance to her father is uncanny.

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503 Words | 3 Pages

Unlike his wife, Macbeth does not instantly assume he must do something as drastic as murdering the King of Scotland for his own political gain. In addition to this, Macbeth had serious doubt on murdering Duncan, as he held so much respect for him. His doubt is displayed in this quote, “But in these cases / We still have judgment here, that we but teach / Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return / To plague th' inventor: this even-handed justice/ Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice / To our own lips.” (1.7, 7-12).

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169 Words | 1 Pages

Well what I had chose was that in act 2 there had been a scene where Macbeth had just killed King Duncan and he was heading back to lady Macbeth covered in blood. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth had a conversation about the event that just took place and had suggested that the fact was that he couldn't return the weapon it was covered in blood and he was feeling guilty about killing King Duncan. Macbeth had started imagining of hearing noises but when he had first came in he was imagining people in the castle that could be witnesses to killing King Duncan. And he had sworn that when he was killing King Duncan he had thought that someone had said “Sleep no more... Macbeth has murdered sleep”.

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371 Words | 2 Pages

It motivates Macbeth actions by getting this man to kill King Duncan and fulfill the witches’ prophecy they gave him. I believe he thought everything they were saying was good to his ears. He wrote a letter to his wife telling her about the prophecies he heard from the witches. She felt like that was a chance her man can be king and she was not going to stop until he was.

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184 Words | 1 Pages

Who is Responsible for the Death of King Duncan in ' Macbeth' by William Shakespeare? In the debate of responsibility for Duncan's death it would be rational to primarily consider his murderer, Macbeth. A number of factors lead him to kill Duncan. It is evident that he did not go about his crime acting entirely of his own accord - there is an element of corruption from the witches and his wife - however he must have had an existent ambition and desire for the throne in order to follow the plot through. Initially, the witches inform him that he ''shalt be King hereafter''.

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196 Words | 1 Pages

Macbeth gives many reasons as to why he does not want to kill Duncan. One reason he does not want to kill Duncan is because he is afraid of getting caught. He says that if he does kill Duncan, he needs to do it quickly because killing the king would be dangerous. Another reason he is hesitant to kill Duncan is because he is his kinsman. He feels like he will be going against a lot of rules by harming his guest.

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1724 Words | 7 Pages

In act one scene 7, Macbeth doubts if he should kill the king; however, his wife, Lady Macbeth, manipulates him into proceeding. It might be difficult for Macbeth, the renowned warrior, to hear his wife accusing him of cowardice. Therefore, under Lady Macbeth’s influence, as she questions his manhood, he commences the murder in order to prove to her that he is not a “coward.” This is important to note because his soliloquy shows his determination to proceed.

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443 Words | 2 Pages

Having a strong desire to rule, Macbeth is extremely ambitious. His ambition outweighs any other quality, making it undesirable. Nothing would stand in the way of Macbeth’s success once he set his mind towards something. Macbeth doesn’t have any reason why should kill King Duncan. As he is talking with himself trying to get one, the only reason to go through with the plan is because of his ambition getting in the way.

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356 Words | 2 Pages

Macbeth Essay Who really killed king Duncan? Who was more responsible for king Duncan’s murder was it Macbeth or Lady Macbeth? Macbeth received a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he would become king of Scotland. Consumed with ambition and pushed by his wife Macbeth does eventually end up killing King Duncan.

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246 Words | 1 Pages

Before the events of Duncan’s murder, Macbeth is the general of Scotland’s army and is honoured by his cousin and king, Duncan. To begin, Macbeth’s combat skills are praised by the Scottish soldiers and Duncan in the beginning: “For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name” (1.2.18). Shakespeare establishes Macbeth’s character as an inspiration for the army of Scotland, and someone who is looked up to. As he is perceived as honourable and cunning, Macbeth’s actions throughout the tragedy contrast what he is once seen as. In addition, Duncan’s respect and acknowledgement of Macbeth have Macbeth consider to refuse the witches prophecy.

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819 Words | 4 Pages

Lady Macbeth In the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare tells a story about a prophecy granting Macbeth to be crowned king if he kills the cherished and beloved king Duncan. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife played a huge part in the killing of Duncan. Although Lady Macbeth did not kill duncan and it was macbeth who had done it, Lady Macbeth still had a major influence on Macbeth which had caused him to murder the king without her influence the crime would have not been committed. Macbeth needed someone to believe in him doing the act and be there for him, Lady Macbeth had played that part. Lady macbeth had also stated that had done it herself by stating this insulted Macbeth, also even though the prophecy stated he would be king he couldn't

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1241 Words | 5 Pages

“If good, why do I yield to that suggestion[killing Duncan]/Whose horrid image doth unify my hair” (I, III, 144-145). This quote indicates that the force of ambition is so strong within Macbeth that even he himself cannot understand why it is making him think of killing Duncan. Likewise, Macbeth’s ambition to become king is further emphasized after Duncan names his son Malcolm as his successor. Here, Macbeth says that he will have to “oerleap,/For in my way it [Malcolm] it lies” (I, III, 55-57).

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608 Words | 3 Pages

Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is a dark play full of witchcraft and foreshadowing. Lady Macbeth showed scheming qualities throughout the play which had a lot of influence on her husband, Macbeth. Because of her controlling personality, Macbeth was scared to disappoint her. She was the one who positioned the idea of Duncan’s murder into her husband’s mind where he was succumbed by her supremacies and made the ultimate mistake. It was also her idea to place the blame of Duncan’s death on the soldiers.

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246 Words | 1 Pages

Macbeth, I am writing to you so that you can scrutinize on not killing king Duncan and so that you are not scard for the rest of your life. You have a family and children this is not the example you want to show your children it is unacceptable. When you kill someone else you have completely lost your humanity. Macbeth if anything you have done alot for your country you just won a war. The king has his life ahead of him just as you do.

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