Macbeth - Responsibility - 2359 Words

In the play there are many evil deeds that Macbeth committed. These include the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Lady Macduff and her son. Macbeth is also responsible for Scotlands disorder. Macbeth plays the main role in each incident, with the other characters being only minor and undeveloped; acting as vehicles for Macbeths actions. It is possible that it is not entirely Macbeths fault for the evil deeds in the play. In Act II, Scene II Macbeth is patented as a hero, when he defeated Norway in war for his country. O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman Initially, the Elizabethan audience consider Macbeth as a respectable and well like character. We do however learn that appearances can be deceptive which corresponds with the main†¦show more content†¦What follows illustrates Macbeth feeling guilty. He cannot sleep, he feels that he has murdered sleep. In Shakespearean times sleep represented innocence. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that if he washes his hands there will be no reminder of the murder. A little water clears us of this deed: This is an ironic comment on what Macbeth continues to say. Will all great Neptunes Ocean wash this blood. Macbeth responds by saying that water will not get rid of his guilt. Blood symbolises evil and for Macbeth it is suspicion as he has become paranoid. Macbeth is not a cold blooded killer otherwise he would not be feeling these emotions. Banquo harbours suspicion about Macbeth. He realises that the guards had no motive to kill the king so he does not suspect them. He says that he is going to investigate the murder as there are hidden motives. He does not mention however his suspicions of Macbeth as his sons may also be kings too and is content that they should be. Banquo was much more naive than Macbeth. His was not totally surprised when he found out about the murder which would indicate that that he was prepared for such an event. The next evil deed committed is the killing of Banquo, whom Macbeth fears knows too much. To be thus, is nothing, but to be safely thus. Macbeth is indicating that he needs security to be King. His intention is to remove any threat to his throne. Macbeth is very calculated; he really knows what he is doing, more soShow MoreRelated Responsibility for the Downfall of Macbeth Essay783 Words   |  4 PagesThe tragic downfall of Macbeth can be contributed to several key factors. Macbeth’s downfall can be attributed to his blind ambition, the influence of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s own insecurities and misgivings. Blind ambition combined with immoral goals, with Lady Macbeth’s influence and Macbeth’s personal doubts all lead to his inevitable downfall. The greatest factor to Macbeth’s downfall should be attributed to his blind, uncontrollable ambition. This factor is first seen with the second appearanceRead MoreResponsibility for the Tragic Events in Macbeth by William Shakespeare777 Words   |  4 PagesResponsibility for the Tragic Events in Macbeth by William Shakespeare Macbeth is one of Shakespeare four great tragedies. The witches, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth were all responsible for the tragic events that occurred, to some extent. The witches were the ones to start the evil as they drilled the prophecies into Macbeth. His vaulting ambition drove him to perform not only the murder of Duncan but of many othersRead MoreWitches, Lady Macbeth and Macbeths Responsibility for Macbeth’s Downfall1490 Words   |  6 PagesWitches, Lady Macbeth and Macbeths Responsibility for Macbeth’s Downfall Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth shows the downfall of a wrongfully crowned king. But his downfall is not solely due to himself. There are other characters in the play that are part of his downfall. If it weren’t for them, the play would not work. They are part of a chain, one leading to another. The play would not have ended in the same manner, even if one of these characters hadn’t played their partRead MoreEssay on The Responsibility of Macbeth for his own Actions756 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare’s Macbeth challenges the Elizabethan ideology of fate by privileging that although Macbeth was a victim of his â€Å"vaulting ambition† (1:VII 27), he was ultimately responsible for his villainous actions. Shakespeare has foregounded certain events to privilege that a person has free will and a concience and the cosequences of going against ones conscience, thus challenging the assumption of the Elizabethan Era. The audience is invited to sympathise with the protagonist, Macbeth, and see himRead More The Partial Responsibility of the Witches in William Shakespeares Macbeth3874 Words   |  16 Pagesassignment to explore whether the witches influenced Macbeth sufficiently to cause him to commit murder, treason and regicide, or whether Macbeth was capable of committing these crimes on his own and the witches only made this happen a little earlier and a little more certainly. We will also explore the Elizabethan audience, their superstitions, and how they would react to the character of the witches as seen in Macbeth. Historically, the witches have been seen as evilRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth 1289 Words   |  6 Pages16, 2015 Macbeth Literary Essay In this 16th century, classic play about a man hungry for power by William Shakespeare there are many intense instances of symbolism used to demonstrate and prove Macbeth’s feelings and behaviour throughout the book. Good symbolism makes you feel what the character feels when reading a story. In the story, â€Å"Macbeth†, Macbeth is shown to be a sly and deceiving person who betrayed his kingdom for his own gain. Three important symbols used to show Macbeth s greedRead More MacBeth is Responsible for His Downfall Essay690 Words   |  3 PagesMacBeth is Responsible for His Downfall    There were many wrongs committed in MacBeth. But who should bear the major responsibility for these actions? The witches prophesising? Lady MacBeths scheming and persuasion? Or should MacBeth himself be held responsible? No doubt the witches and lady MacBeth influenced MacBeth in the course of action he took in his rise to power, but ultimately he must bear the major responsibility for his fate.    The witches played an undoubtedlyRead More Shakespeares Macbeth - Renaissance Humanism Essay1494 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth assume the role of supernatural beings, it was not Shakespeare’s intent to portray a classic case of fatalism. On the contrary, Shakespeare used Macbeth as a way to display the idea of Renaissance humanism. Although the witches did in fact possess uncanny powers, they were in reality not controlling Macbeth, but rather they were tempting Macbeth to act in particular ways. The witches, as well as other significant characters, may have encouraged Macbeth to act in a certainRead More Macbeth and the Witches Essay1011 Words   |  5 Pages Macbeth: The Witches’ Responsibility for Macbeth’s Actions The three witches that are introduced at the beginning of the play are responsible for the introduction of the ideas that caused Duncan’s death and Macbeth’s destruction but not for Macbeth’s actions themselves. They recount to Macbeth three prophecies; that Macbeth will be: 1) Thane of Cawdor, 2) Thane of Glamis, and 3) King. Macbeth welcomes the ideas spawned from the witches’ prophecies, which is what triggered the spiral of events inRead MoreCharacters In Macbeth1057 Words   |  5 PagesFirst produced in 1606 and first published in 1623, Shakespeare’s Macbeth play is an English, drama-based play centered on tragedy in the eleventh century. Macbeth’s primary characters include: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, King Duncan, Malcolm, Banquo, and Macduff. Other characters in the work include the Three Witches, Malcolm, Hecate, Fleance, Lennox, Ross, The Murderers, Porter, Lady Macduff, and Donalbain. The main setting of the play is in Scotland, along with some areas that are briefly in England