The Question of Justice in Macbeth In the play Macbeth, many different major choices are brought forth to a certain character and the decision that is chosen affects the entire play. The results of these actions or decisions can be a positive or negative outcome towards the character. Does justice always prevail in the play Macbeth? If a character decides to commit a crime, will he/she be punished? If a character does a noble deed, will he/she be rewarded? As is represented in the play Macbeth, justice always prevails due to the guilty character's developing sense of remorse and/or the character receiving fair punishment. For every action there is a reaction and whatever the result is, it is meant to happen and it is just. The first malevolent decision chosen by Lady Macbeth and her husband Macbeth was to kill King Duncan. The death of Duncan would mean the birth of a new Macbeth, King Macbeth. Lady Macbeth decided to have her husband kill Duncan and said in Act I scene 5, "He croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan." (p.33) This quote says how the presence of Duncan would turn fatal once Macbeth kills him. Once Duncan is killed, Macbeth has second thoughts about the murder of Duncan and his conscience starts to kick in. His wife then puts his conscience at ease. The wife was being immoral by persuading Macbeth to kill Duncan and trying to soften the blow of Duncan's death by reassuring her husband that everything was going to be all right. Macbeth was being immoral by actually killing King Duncan. Macbeth is already starting to feel guilty, but Lady Macbeth seems not to be affected, as of now. The second malicious decision chosen by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth was to have Banquo and his sons killed. This would cancel out the possibility of Banquo's sons becoming kings. In Act III scene 1, Macbeth states that Banquo and his sons would be murdered by saying, "Banquo, thy soul's flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight." (p.91) The consequence of the decision to kill Banquo and his sons started when Macbeth felt more guilt and developed a worried conscience in the form of a vision of Banquo's ghost.
Here, Macbeth realizes that if something is not done to Banquo, his sons will become Kings. Macbeth can not have this. He had already worried that his soul will go to hell for what he had done. His fear become evident in this scene also, "But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo Stick deep;" [Act III, S I, L 53-54] Macbeth has Banquo murdered,
In the play Macbeth, Macbeth and Banquo are good friends, and even after hearing the prophecy told by the Three Witches, they only laugh and joke about their individual prophecies. It is only after Macbeth kills Duncan that the thought of having to kill Banquo in order to secure his place and his bloodline on the throne ever crosses his mind. After killing Duncan, Macbeth was initially struck by grief and remorse, but when it came to killing Banquo, Macbeth had shown no real signs of guilt for it (there is even speculation that the third, secret hitman was actually Macbeth himself!). After killing Banquo, Macbeth had visions of Banquo as a ghost, but no real signs of grief as he had with Duncan. He seems more troubled over the fact that the murderers he had hired hadn’t been able to kill Banquo’s son, Fleance.
Both Banquo and Macbeth are introduced as loyal captains in the king`s army, but as the play progresses, Macbeth is overcome with the desire of power due to his reception of the prophecies. Upon hearing, Banquo does not become greedy for power, but, alternatively, he is suspect and cautious begins wondering if “we [Macbeth and Banquo] eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?” (1.3). Realizing the witches were simply trying to make him ambitious, Banquo remains loyal to his king and his country, despite knowing that he will have a dynasty to rule Scotland. Despite having the motivation, Banquo does not commit treason against his king but rather wants to “keep my [his] bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear” (2.1), meaning that he has no desire to betray the king for personal gain. Conversely, upon hearing the witches’ prophecies, Macbeth becomes ambitious for power and follows them blindly. He is curious about the witches’ prophecies and demands they “stay… [and] tell me [him] more” (1.3). When he hears that the prophecy that his heirs will rule Scotland he will be king, Macbeth`s ambition is born and his thoughts instantly turn to murder, even though the witches had not mentioned murdering King Duncan which shows that Macbeth has previously thought about murdering his king. As a result, Macbeth has no loyalty to neither his king nor his country and commits treason. While both Banquo and Macbeth hear the witches` prophecies that promised power, only Macbeth conceded to their prophecy and became overcame with ambition. Macbeth is a direct antithesis to the honorable, dependent Banquo. He transforms into a greedy man who is obsessed with his
Guilt surrounds Macbeth for the second time when he sends out the murderers to kill Banquo, his old friend. Macbeth had no other choice but to get rid of Banquo. Banquo had witnessed the three witches and the prophecies. One prophecy was that his son would become king one day "To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings"(Act3 scene1 line70). In order for Macbeth to be safe is to kill Banquo. Banquo may assume what had happened and tell the people of Scotland. "For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind; for them the gracious Duncan have I murdered; Put rancors in the vessel of my peace only for them, and mine eternal jewel".
At this time in the play, Macbeth is paranoid about Banquo turning against him. In the opening of act three, Macbeth hires two hit men to take out Banquo and his son Fleance. The two men Macbeth hires probably did not match to Banquo's great skill in fighting. This could give Macbeth a reason to want to join the other two murderers in making sure that the plan was carried out. After they murder Banquo, the third murderer says, "Who did strike out the light?" and "there's but one down; the son is fled" (3.3.18). He is the one who realizes that someone turned out t...
Act 3 scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet is one of the most dramatic of
Gather round my brothers, a call to arms. I am Malcolm, the son of King Duncan. Before we embark on bringing justice back into this kingdom, let me offer you some words of advocacy. We come here not as individuals, rather a single force for justice and truth. Macbeth is no match for this brave hearted army. Today this turmoil ends, today we fight!
Later in the play Banquo starts to have a bad feeling about Macbeth. "Thou hast it now: King, Cowdor, Glamis, all,/ as the weird women promised, and I fear/ thou play'dst most foully for `t." III i 1-3, this is a quote from Banquo explaining how he feels about Macbeth's predictions coming true. Macbeth realizes this about Banquo and he starts to have feelings about killing Banquo. This isn't the only reason he feels this way, the witches had also made predictions for Banquo. "Thou shall get kings, though thou be none." I iii 67, Macbeth doesn't want any of Banquo's family to rule Scotland; he wants his own family to continue to rule. Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his on Fleance. The murderers end up killing Banquo, but Fleance gets away.
He begins to decide on a course of action. It becomes apparent that Macbeth has contemplated killing Duncan when he (aside) acknowledges his “black and deep desires” (1.4.58) Macbeth knows that, if he wishes to take the throne, he must kill Duncan.... ... middle of paper ... ... The paradox “fair is foul and foul is fair” characterizes the changes the protagonists undergo in acts one, two and three. Throughout the play Macbeth, the “fair” one, becomes overcome by guilt and becomes “foul”.
Ladies and gentlemen of this court I thank you for letting me give my testimony today. I am Macduff, thane of Fife; I am 30 years old and have been well-respected in my role for 5 years. I am only interested in what is best for Scotland, and I speak to you today to give my testimony as to why I believe Macbeth is the reason for Scotland suffering as he was a bad king for the time of his reign. I pledge to tell the truth and only the truth as a witness today to prove the guilt of Macbeth, previous king of Scotland for his crimes of murder, treason and for his crimes against our beloved country. My evidence today will show the reasons why Macbeth is guilty and should not be considered a worthy king in the eyes of Scotland. His pride, his ability
Because of the witch's predictions and his impatience, MacBeth kills in order to get what he expects is coming to him. When Banquo takes time to contemplate what has been going on, he turns his. thoughts to MacBeth. He expresses his feelings about the situation in Act II. Scene 1 Banqou feels that MacBeth might have something to do with the murders. but he never stands up for his thoughts or listens to his conscience until MacBeth comes to him one day. When MacBeth asks to talk privately to Banquo.
Macbeth’s growing aspiration changed him from a honorable and respected man to that of a ruthless murder whose guilt eventually caught up with him. Macbeth is guilty of first degree murder because even though he was being manipulated by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he still murdered the king with his own bare hands. If he really didn’t want to manslaughter the king, he would not have gone through with the plan, but instead he chose to. He is guilty of slaying the beloved King Duncan and others as well.
In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is seen as a brave general of Duncan’s army because he had triumphed with victory over the traitor Macdonwald. A Soldier, who has fought alongside with Macbeth states “For brave Macbeth –well he deserves that name --/ Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel” (1.2.17-18.) The soldier’s message makes the reader develop a positive first impression for Macbeth, since his bravery is being praised. Later, when Macbeth first encounters the three witches with Banquo, he is told that he will be King of Scotland after the third witch says “All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter” (1.3.53.) Macbeth believes the witches and says to himself aside “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical/.../ If chance will have me king, why, change may crown me.”(1.3.149-155.) He immediately thinks of killing Duncan to become king, his impression of a brave general completely change. This shows that although Macbeth has the power to bring justice and proper order while fighting for Duncan’s army, he chooses not to and instead uses his power for injustice and he own needs.
...fter Macbeth kills Duncan, Banquo is suspicious that Macbeth “thou palyed’st most foully” in assuring that Macbeth’s prophecies became reality. (3.1.3) Macbeth is, however, is also suspicious of Banquo because he realizes that Banquo's "wisdom that doth guide his valour / To act in safety" (3.1158-59) will be even more reason for Banquo to turn Macbeth in for 1Duncan’s murder. Macbeth’s jealousy and suspicion causes him to hire murderers to murder Banquo and his son Fleance, the prophesied heir of the throne, in which he states how Banquo “was your enemy,” referring to the murderers, and how Banquo is Macbeth’s enemy as well, showing that Macbeth and Banquo’s relationship changed from camaraderie to being on opposing sides.
After a long trial and many witnesses reporting their experiences, I have come to the conclusion, that Macbeth should receive a punishment for some of the charges he has been charged by the prosecution team. I believe that Macbeth is guilty for First degree murder of King Duncan, Murder of the servants, Murder of Banquo and Treason and regicide. I believe that the prosecuting team has been able to prove these charges guilty beyond reasonable doubt. For the charge of attempted murder of Fleance, I am not super sure and for the charge of murder of Macduff’s family there isn’t enough definitive evidence.