Responsibility In Macbeth's War

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth portrays himself as a strong nobleman during time of war. Macbeth’s responsibility for the death of a Norwegian lord in battle distinguishes him. Proudly fighting for Scotland, Macbeth leads his army towards victory. Although Macbeth exudes valor on the battlefield, his ambitious nature and manipulative wife entice him to commit murder. Upon meeting three witches and hearing their prophecies, Macbeth believes that he will ascend to the throne. These witches tell Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis… Thane of Cawdor… that shalt be king hereafter” (1.3.49-52). After hearing the witches’ prophecy about becoming the Thane of Glamis, a title which he already holds, Macbeth resolves that the other prophecies must come true as well. Lady Macbeth then reads a letter from her husband stating that Ross, a messenger sent from the King, greets him as “Thane of Cawdor”. Since two of the witches’ prophecies occurred, Macbeth

Lady Macbeth broaches the idea of murdering Duncan to Macbeth. Appalled and distraught by Lady Macbeth’s plight, Macbeth rejects this idea, expressing his respect for Duncan, by saying “hath borne his [Duncan] faculties so meek” (1.7.17) and that Duncan represents a loyal leader. Macbeth also states that it would be a breach of hospitality to murder Duncan at this particular moment as Duncan holds the status of guest in his home, and he wants his reputation to be as a good host. Responding to his wife, Macbeth then says, “We will proceed no further in this business” (1.7.31). However, Lady Macbeth disregards this message and uses her persuasiveness to her advantage. Macbeth, a passive character in the play, allows his ambivalence to take control over him. This leads to his neither contesting nor fighting back to Lady Macbeth’s plan of killing