Macbeth Quotes Analysis

“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir?” Macbeth ponders after three witches foresee that he will become king in the tragic play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare (349). Macbeth is wondering how he could become king of Scotland without him taking action as he is not in line for the throne. He believes that he will have to take action to gain this position. He was right to doubt fate, because Macbeth’s choices led to his ascension to the throne and, later in the play, to his downfall. After he hears of the prophecy from the witches, Macbeth meets the current king, Duncan, at the king’s palace at Forres. Here, he learns that Duncan has given his son Malcolm the title of the Prince of Cumberland, meaning

The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see” (352). In this quote, Macbeth says that he hopes the king will be murdered. He also realizes that, to become king, he will have to get rid of Malcolm or else he will never be granted the throne. After thinking about what he needs to do, Macbeth writes a letter home to his wife, Lady Macbeth. He tells her that King Duncan is coming to dinner and the witches’ prophecy that he will become the king. Macbeth informs his wife of his plans to kill the Duncan that night. Later, after the king arrives, Macbeth begins to have second thoughts about killing King Duncan. He says, “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well It were done quickly. If th’ assassination Could trammel up the consequence and catch Witch his surcease success, that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here... He’s here in double trust: First as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his

At this point, Macbeth is seriously reconsidering his choice to kill the king, saying that that if he could kill Duncan without consequences or later difficulties he would risk eternal damnation; however, Macbeth knows that his decision to murder the king of Scotland will have many negative effects on his life and the kingdom. He acknowledges that Duncan has been a good and honest leader, realising that the only reason behind the assassination is that he wishes to become king. Although many will argue that Macbeth became king because of fate, this monologue given by Macbeth shows that he wasn’t forced to kill the king by anything