One of the most quintessential points to the plot of Macbeth is the murder of Duncan. Prior to this murder of the king, Macbeth had many forces attempting to influence his decision on killing Duncan. Overall, the forces convinced him to kill Duncan in Act 1. Throughout act 1 of Macbeth, despite some of his attempts to withstand, he succumbs to many forces, both internal and external, that lead him to his decision to kill Duncan.
He acted because his first prophecy came true about being thane of cawdor. Macbeth is convinced after a talk with his wife he finally decided to kill Duncan. In this part it shows how greedy Macbeth and lady Macbeth are in the beginning. “Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing”. (Macbeth Act 1 scene 2 lines 139-40)
The letter which Macbeth wrote Lady Macbeth accelerated Macbeth’s ambition to kill king Duncan. Once Macbeth gained knowledge of the prophecy about being thane of Cawdor he wrote Lady Macbeth and told her all about it. Macbeth made a big mistake by doing that. Since Macbeth told Lady Macbeth about the prophecy, Lady Macbeth became ambitious and wanted Macbeth to fulfill the prophecy. By both Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s ambition they generated a plan to accelerate the process for Macbeth to become king of Scotland.
Around Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth argues with himself on whether he should murder King Duncan, “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly” where he means that if it the assassination of the king could be done without it returning “...To plague th' inventor” as this “even-handed justice commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own lips” then it should be done quickly if his murder would have no negative consequences and be successfully completed with his death (surcease), then Macbeth would risk eternal damnation however, he would gladly risk it. Macbeth is aware of the severe consequences that come with murdering King Duncan. He also could not find a reason beside his own ambition as King Duncan “Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the deep damnation of his taking-off;” and also that he is his kinsman and his subject who should always protect
Shakespeare writing style varies to appease all types of audience members, he may use fights and death of characters to captivate the audience. Although, I believe that Macbeth should not kill Duncan because he did nothing to hurt or harm him in anyway. Of course there are pros and cons to both options. Obviously, one of the top reasons to murder him is he will then be the king. Despite being king there are no other major positives, there are more negatives thus overruling positives.
“Let not light see my black and deep desires: The eye that wink at the hand; yet let that be which the eye fears,when it is done, to see” (Shakespeare 1.4 58-60). Macbeth is admitting that he has his own hidden desires and wants to become king because of his own passion and drive. He is trying to justify what he knows he will have to do in order to make himself king. He knows that he has to kill to become king and to keep his throne, and is trying to convince himself that this will all be worth it in the end when he becomes king. Some would argue that Lady Macbeth made him king, but his own desires were truly what fuelled his ambition to do whatever it took to make himself king.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth, the main character Macbeth learns that he will become King. When he realised he could be the leader, the power he desperately craves motivates him to alter his character. “Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done.” (2.4.6-14)
Macbeth struggles with whether he should kill the King or not, and I believe that killing the King is the worst thing that he could do. Macbeth even says, “that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught return, to plague the inventor” (1.7.11-13). The quote is basically saying that if Macbeth chooses to kill the King to gain power then others who are seeking power will do the same thing. Macbeth could gain power and control after the King’s death.
At the beginning of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ the protagonist Macbeth is described as ‘brave’, ‘noble’ and ‘honourable’, however Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeths desire for power consumes them. Macbeth’s ambition overrides his conscience and transformed his greatest strength into his greatest weakness. Macbeth’s inability to resist temptations that led him to be greedy for power, Macbeth’s easily manipulative nature which allowed his mind to be swayed, Macbeth having no self control and his excessive pride was what allowed him to renew his previously honourable and celebrated title into one of an evil ‘tyrant’. Macbeth is led by the prophecies of the witches after they foretell he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Not only the witches, but also his wife easily manipulate Macbeth as she attacks his manhood in order to provoke him to act on his desires.
In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, Shakespeare portrays that motivation allows individuals to thrive for their goals, but on the other hand side, it might lead to destruction. Many times, individuals perceive motivation to remove obstacles that prevent them from achieving their goals. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, the character of Macbeth uses motivation to achieve his ambition to become the King of Scotland, after considering witches prophecies. Macbeth’s strong motivation and desire to become the king allows him to deceive King of Scotland, Duncan, because the King was the main hurdle that was preventing him from reaching his ambition.
Macbeth was working toward being the king of Scotland in the beginning after meeting the three wired sisters. And being told that he was king to be, so it inspired him to do anything that he had to to become king. It did not matter the circumstances he would do it. Even if that meant killing his best friend. He down was cause by him killing Macduff’s family.
For Macbeth, he is motive by the fulfill of the prophecies, which facilitate the growth of ambition. “He will be fooled into thinking he is greater than fate, he will mock death, and he will think he is above wisdom, grace, and fear.” (Crowther.3.5.2). As Hecate, the head of the witches suggests, the prophecies are made to fool Macbeth and lead him into the completely wicked way of killing people in order to satisfy his intrigued ambition and paranoid thoughts. In other words, the deterioration of Macbeth’s character and all the immoral practice done by Macbeth and her wife predominantly provoked by the prophecies, which in fact, only contains one piece of real information, possession of The Thane of Cawdor by Macbeth.
like in scene one and two, is where we first see the desire of the power climbing to Macbeth. Which in reality Macbeth had no reason to kill Duncan, Duncan was just amazing at being king.as he being selfish and wants all the power for himself. Macbeth committing the murder of Duncan was under the influence if the three witches. Guilt cause him a grate a great deal og mental and anguish and leads him to hallucination’s. Now the motivation of Macbeth has grown more to have it all.
Macbeth’s ambitions influence him to attain his desire for power. This ambition drives him to become reckless for the sake of reaching his goals. This recklessness leads to the murder of Duncan- the first in a line of murders Macbeth commits to reach his power. These murders represent Macbeth’s gradual loss of morality.
Lady Macbeth is power hungry for the throne and she will do anything to achieve her goal. Her pleasure of having the thought of killing Duncan is revealed. These murderous thoughts that run through her mind shows how desperate she is to acquire power. Although it is the beginning of the play, her dark ambitions sets a dark tone for her character in the play. This coincidentally adds to the assurance of Macbeth’s prophecy which is that Macbeth will become king, but King Duncan is still alive.
