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Macbeth Is Not Guilty

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In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, the character of Macbeth is guilty because he wants to get rid of those who may bring justice for his murder. After murdering King Duncan, and killing the servants that were framed as the murderers Macbeth still fears he hasn’t gotten away with the murder of King Duncan unscathed. Banquo and his son Fleance have large suspicions that Macbeth may have been the one that killed King Duncan and in response, Macbeth has hired murderers to kill them. While talking to his wife Lady Macbeth he avoids telling her and instead exclaims “O, full of scorpions in my mind, dear wife! Thou know’st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives” (Shakespeare. 3.2.40-41). Macbeth knows and fears the fact that Banquo and Fleance …show more content…

Therefore Macbeth is guilty for fearing that Banquo will expose that he is responsible for the murder of King Duncan. In addition, Macbeth goes to meet 3 witches to ask them about his future, and they give him 3 prophecies. In the final prophecy, they inform Macbeth that he must fear and be cautious of Macduff. In response to this message, Macbeth exclaims “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” (Shakespeare. 4.1.167-169). Macbeth is planning to ruin everything Macduff has, to ruin Macduff as a person. Macduff is Macbeth’s biggest enemy and suspects he was the one who murdered King Duncan and plans to bring justice for his crime. Those who have committed crimes and know they are guilty will do everything in their power to prevent others from exposing or bringing justice for their …show more content…

The night before Lady Macbeth had Macbeth murder King Duncan and then framed King Duncan servant’s as the murderers. However, when everyone discovers that King Duncan has been murdered Lady Macbeth acts as if she is in shock and about to faint where she then whimpers "What's the business, that such a hideous trumpet Calls to parley the sleepers of the house? Speak, speak" (Shakespeare. 2.3.78-80). Lady Macbeth is pretending to be in shock and traumatized by the murder of King Duncan. She is basing her fake acts of distress off the mindset that no one who just murdered another human being would be so shocked and traumatized by the death of the person they just murdered. Those who are guilty of a crime they knowingly committed will do everything in their power to seem as if they are innocent. Therefore when Lady Macbeth acts shocked and traumatized at the news of King Duncan’s murder as a way to evade suspicions she is guilty. In addition, Macbeth sent some murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance because they suspected that he may be responsible for the murder of King Duncan. With Banquo (Macbeth’s best friend) and King Duncan murdered, Macbeth’s guilt builds up to the point where he starts seeing hallucinations of Banquo’s ghost. In response to Macbeth seeing, talking to, and yelling at

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