Macbeth Guilty Quotes

Vincent Amidei

Mrs. Starnes

English II

8 February 2023

Forced Into Guilt

In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, the character of Macbeth is guilty because he ruthlessly killed and disregarded many of his fellow friends and leaders. In Act 4, Scene 1, A young Thane named Lennox reports to Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Since Macduff fled, his family stayed so Macbeth will kill them. As Macbeth is mentally gearing up to go attack Macduff’s family, Macbeth says to himself, “The firstlings of my hand. And even now/ To crown my thoughts with acts — be it thought and done” (Shakespeare.4.1. 164-165). To sum the quote up, Macbeth says to himself that since he's gotten so immune to killing he’s now not thinking about killing an innocent

But because his thoughts immediately turn into actions it show’s he is guilty and has no issue ruthlessly killing an innocent family of a coward that fled to another country. In Act 2, Scene 2, when Macbeth was confessing to Lady Macbeth of the killing of King Duncan. In Act 2, Scene 2, when Macbeth was confessing to Lady Macbeth of the killing of King Duncan. He was deeply regretting what he did. Here Shakespeare writes,” But/ wherefore/ could not I pronounce 'Amen'?/ I had most need of blessing, and/ 'Amen'/ Stuck in my throat” (Shakespeare.2.2.30-32).In this snippet of Macbeth, Macbeth is guilt-ridden after killing King Duncan and is confessing his regret to Lady Macbeth and is trying to say how he needs a blessing and he doesn't deserve to live. If Macbeth had been innocent, then he wouldn't have killed king Duncan But because he killed a King out of his despise, It shows he did it for

In Act 1, Scene 5 Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to kill King Duncan she is getting so eager and desperate that she begins to say, ”That tend on/ mortal thoughts, unsex me here,/ And fill me from the crown to the toe, top-full/ Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood;/ Stop up the access and passage to remorse” (Shakespeare.1.5.40-43). Lady Macbeth is saying to Macbeth that if he doesn't kill King Duncan, she wants to be a man to be able to kill him herself instead of Macbeth doing it. Throughout the whole play, Lady Macbeth is a ruthless killer even though she doesn't think she is herself. This is one way Lady Macbeth pushes her husband to do all of the dirty work for her, making her guilty. In Act 1, Scene 7, when Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are planning to kill King Duncan, they envision how the Macbeths could get away with the kill. Shakespeare writes, What cannot you and I perform upon/ The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon/ His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt/ Of our great quell ?¨(Shakespeare.1.7.70-73). Lady Macbeth is scheming with Macbeth that they could do whatever together and get away with it. By Lady Macbeth heavily convincing Macbeth that they could do anything together Lady Macbeth will end up having convinced and executed King Duncan. This is just another