Macbeth Murder Analysis

In act four of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" Macbeth murders most of a noble man's family out of impulse and paranoia. He suspected said nobleman of plotting against him, and much like the murder of his friend Banquo, he killed him before he got the chance. But this murder is not like the ones before it, this one is much more sinister. The man Macbeth suspected, Maduff, was suspect because he refused to show up to any events that Macbeth attended, and when Macbeth went to ask the witches they warned him Macduff was to be cautioned. This time Macbeth decides right away that Macduff must go. Previously he had to be encouraged by his wife and think it over before he murdered someone, but this time within moments of learning Macduff was dangerous to

The flighty purpose never is o'ertook Unless the deed go with it. From this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand. And even now, To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: 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’ll do before this purpose cool. But no more sights!—Where are these gentlemen? Come, bring me where they are." He is scolding himself for not acting without hesitation and resolves to act with impulse from now on, so he will go through with Macduff's assassination. This is an important decision he makes that completely transforms his conscience. He doesn’t feel guilty about killing people who trust him anymore. This is not at all like how he felt in the beginning of the play, in act one when he is considering Duncans murder he hesitates and says to himself "But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come. 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

When he orders the murder of Macduff he orders the murder of his wife and family as well, an act of malice, not for his own protection. After speaking with the witches, he says, "Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live, That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And sleep in spite of thunder." He is not afraid of Macduff, he is killing him to ease his mind. Notice how differently he talks about Banquo in act three, "So is he mine; and in such bloody distance That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near’st of life. And though I could With barefaced power sweep him from my sight And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, For certain friends that are both his and mine, Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall Who I myself struck down. And thence it is, That I to your assistance do make love, Masking the business from the common eye For sundry weighty reasons." He regards Banquo with a deep fear and is almost casual in his distrust of Macduff. He is not worried about Macduff because he is now confident he can kill anyone who in his way. Instead of killing out of fear he is killing out of