Macbeth's Killing of King Duncan in William Shakespeare's Macbeth
opinionated Essay
1617 words
Macbeth's Killing of King Duncan in William Shakespeare's Macbeth
The play of Macbeth was technically set in the 11th century (despite
showing little indication of the period). The Scottish play was
written by William Shakespeare in 1606 and is one of his tragedies, in
that the main characters struggle with circumstances and meet death
and despair.
It was allegedly written for King James 1st by Shakespeare to act as a
propaganda tool to basically scare people against trying to kill the
King, as Guy Fawkes had attempted to do. It is noted that King James
was fascinated by witchcraft and at the time when it was written there
was a strong cultural belief in supernatural objects such as the Devil
and witches.
There are many factors that we must consider when deciding who
persuaded Macbeth to kill Duncan. Despite the question being a
relatively easy one we must look at a number of key issues in greater
depth.
Macbeth is a hero at the start of the play but he becomes an evil man
as we approach the end. Is he a victim of either his wife or the
witches or did he have a choice and chose evil over good?
Let us firstly consider whether or not the witches were influential in
persuading Macbeth to kill Duncan. They hail Macbeth as "Thane of
Glamis!" "Thane of Cawdor!" and prophesised "that shalt be king
hereafter".
The first time Macbeth is hailed as "Thane of Glamis" confirms that
the witches know who he is. The second time they hail him as "Thane of
Cawdor` he seems to ponder upon this, and as soon as the witches
disappear two of Duncan`s other loyal thanes appear and announce
Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. He now starts to accep...
... middle of paper ...
...acknowledged as being important as men despite the fact
that Queen Elizabeth was crowned the first queen of England during
Shakespeare's time.
The play illustrates that if woman have power they can turn things to
evil "fair is foul" contradiction. Something can be good in some
people eyes.
If the play is acted it can be made completely different with the same
words i.e. the interpretation of the actors
Finally the death of Duncan does not make either of them happy because
they have not earned the sovereign power. Surely Macbeth would rather
have a clear soul/conscience than hold the most supreme position in
Scotland without dignity and the right to know that he has obtained
his status through honest means. Could the problem be that he is loyal
to his wife and country but maybe not loyal to his own conscience?
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the witches know who he is. the second time they hail him as "thane of the dead".
- Opines that they fear thy nature because it is too full of milk.
- Explains that the coin was meant to depict good and evil, king.
- Narrates how the coin had a serpent on one side, and flower on the other.
- Analyzes how the husband plays on his weaknesses, and his wife is able to do so because she can.
- Describes the fish from the pond he has to dip his paws in.
- Opines that she would go. she says he cannot fail if she keeps his word (her word).
- Opines that macbeth would have dashed the brains out to a baby if she had promised as her.
- Opines that "fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direct cruelty"
- Opines that the man would have been braver if he had stood up to her and not killed her.
- Opines that lady macbeth can not forget an idea once it's in her head.
- Opines that he may let it mature in its own time.
- Invites us to consider that maybe a foul way is fair.
- Analyzes how macbeth is a hero at the start of the play, but he becomes an evil man as we approach the end.
Related
- opinionated
- analytical
- Macbeth's Killing of Duncan in William Shakespeare's Macbethopinionated essayMacbeth's Killing of Duncan in William Shakespeare's Macbeth In this essay I will explore all the reasons and explanations behind the killing of Duncan by Macbeth. I will explore all the influences upon him that lead to him deciding to kill Duncan; who is his king. I will explore four factors that contribute to the murder of Duncan; these factors are: Macbeth's personal ambitions, the weaknesses of Duncan, the witches and the ever-present influence of Lady Macbeth.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the factors that led to duncan's decision to kill duncan, who is his king.
- Explains that the play is based on the life of a real man, macbeth, who was born.
- Analyzes how he is seen as a hero at the start of the play.
- Opines that not only would he be a good king, but feels deserved to be.
- Analyzes how the deed, and his sense of what a man should not do takes over.
- Analyzes how the man decides not to kill him.
- Opines that not being able to speak the words of god will not bless him, as he is.
- Narrates how it cried,'sleep no more' to all the house.
- Analyzes how the witches set the scene in the first scene of the play.
- Opines that this is a huge sacrifice, as she says she would give up the joy.
- Opines that it is uncanny, as they are both thinking exactly the same.
- Analyzes how macbeth thinks for him and tells him what to do and when.
- Opines that if he has to kill duncan to be king then so be it.
- Opines that a man is not one if he does not perform the deed. her methods obviously.
2237 wordsRead More - Macbeth's Murder of King Duncan in William Shakespeare's Playanalytical essayMacbeth's Murder of King Duncan in William Shakespeare's Play At the beginning of the play Macbeth is portrayed as a great conquering hero to his country and is extremely loyal to his King. He risked everything for them both including his own life. Even when Macbeth and Banquo were outnumbered significantly, they were still fearless and fought on! "For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name - Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish'd steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valour's minion carved out his passage ill he faced the slave;" "As cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe:" When King Duncan hears of Macbeth's heroics, he is extremely pleased with Macbeth's loyalty and his service to him and his country. He also hears how The Thane of Cawdor betrayed him and his country and he is absolutely dismayed.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth is portrayed as a great conquering hero to his country. he risked everything for them both including his own life.
- Analyzes how king duncan is pleased with macbeth's loyalty and service to him and his country, and how the thane of cawdor betrayed him.
- Analyzes how macbeth is dismayed by his trust in the thane of cawdor. he tells ross, a warrior who brought king duncan the message of his heroics, that he wants the title "thane
- Analyzes how macbeth is yet to meet the witches, which we previously met on the very first page of the play.
- Explains that the creatures are not normal beings of the earth. macbeth is perplexed but curious.
- Analyzes how ross, the warrior who reported back to king duncan arrives on the same path where macbeth and banquo are making their journey back home.
- Analyzes how macbeth's curiosity gets the better of him and questions ross.
- Analyzes how angus, a messenger who came with ross, replies, "who was the thane lives yet; but under heavy judgment bears that life which he deserves to lose."
- Analyzes how macbeth is worried, and believes something evil may be informing him. "if ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing in a truth?"
- Opines that present fears are less than horrible imaginings. when macbeth and banquo reach duncan's castle, duncan greets them and treats them with total respect.
- Analyzes how macbeth and banquo are in the scene, and duncan chooses malcolm as the heir. the play is set in scotland, so duncan could have chosen anyone.
- Narrates how duncan wonders how long it will be before he is king if malcolm's heir to the throne is malcolm. he also starts to believe that macbeth has to do something in order for the prophecies to come true.
- Narrates how lay macbeth reads a letter sent to her by the witches' prophecies and hears how she is the new thane of cawdor
- Narrates how she reads about the kings visit that night. "glamis thou art, and cawdor; yet do i fear thy nature."
- Explains that glamis cries, "thus thou must do, if you have it" and fear to do. they also chastise with the valour of their tongue for preventing the golden round.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth realizes she will have to persuade him to commit the crime in order to fulfil her dream.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth challenges his manliness and in the end manages to persuade him to commit the terrible deed.
- Analyzes how macbeth visualizes a dagger that isn't there on the way to duncan's chamber.
- Explains that macbeth murdered king duncan because he was ambitious and desperately wanted to become king. the witches' prophecies were also to blame.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth persuaded him to commit the crime even though he had decided against it. he was disappointed that malcolm was elected to be heir to the throne.
1121 wordsRead More - Macbeth: Many People Were Involved In the Death of Duncananalytical essayMacbeth: Many People Were Involved In the Death of Duncan There were many people involved in the death of Duncan, the King of Scotland. However, Macbeth bears the major responsibility for the murder. Macbeth committed the task by his own hand.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth confesses that he has done the deed in the play.
- Narrates how banquo was startled at their prophecy. he said to him, "good sir, why do you?"
- Narrates how he was told about the very thing that was now his.
- Opines that macbeth began to fluster and ramble on, as if in fear that the truth of his life would be revealed.
- Narrates how he was to become king, but feared being considered a witch.
- Analyzes how he said in his letter to lady, "this have i thought good to deliver thee."
- Analyzes how duncan clearly states his intent to murder duncan and mentions in a soliloquy that "to know my deed,'twere best not know myself."
799 wordsRead More - Macbeth's Tragic Downfall in William Shakespeare's Macbethanalytical essayMacbeth's Tragic Downfall in William Shakespeare's Macbeth William Shakespeare wrote the play Macbeth is 1606. Shakespeare adds a supernatural dimension that deliberately conspires against Macbeth and his kingdom. The protagonist was lured to murder the king Duncan, by the desire for power, an appetite whetted by the witches' prophecies and his wife's encouragement. All characters made an impact on Macbeth's life and therefore all contributed to his downfall, especially these five people, the witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth himself. Shakespeare creates an air of mystery around the characters to captivate the listeners and make them think people aren't what they really are.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the first sightings of lady macbeth in act 1 scene 6.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth leaves act 1 scene 5 and arrives in act 5 scene 5.
- Explains that she believes he has too kind a nature to kill.
- Explains that he is killed in act 3 scene 1, despite not consulting his wife first.
- Opines that she is admired by her subjects, and is very formal.
- Analyzes how duncan knows that if he kills him, duncan would not only keep duncan alive, but would also kill him.
- Explains that he respects the king a lot and doesn't want to harm him.
- Analyzes how at the start of the play, in act 1 scene 7, she proclaims that she is a woman.
- Opines that it is shameful to wear a heart so white.
- Analyzes how they stand out as if they were something you had to take notice in.
- Opines that the witches were at the start of it.
- Analyzes how she tries to make him feel guilty, and makes out that she is more of a man than he is.
1480 wordsRead More - Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as Evil Murderers in William Shakespeare's Play At the start of this play Macbeth is mentioned by witches which doesn’t give him credibility with the audience, whilst soon after Macbeth is seen as a brave, loyal and trustworthy servant of his king, Duncan. Almost as soon as the play starts, you hear of Macbeth’s bravery; “Brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name…Like Valour’s minion.” But soon after he has his meeting with the witches he is already scheming; “This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill.” One of the central points of this play is the question of whether or not Macbeth would have become so evil if he had not met the witches.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that macbeth knows that he is about to die as soon as they see birnam forest.
- Analyzes the love he holds for her at the start of the play in his letter to her.
- Opines that he would never be able to return along an evil road.
- Opines that the end of the play all but the most faithful to his cause, those too.
- Opines that his ghost has very little love left for his wife, as his mind.
- Opines that his loyalty has gone, as there is no one to be loyal to.
- Asks, “why should i play the roman fool and die on my own sword?”
- Opines that evil is worked. she seeks only to do good for her husband.
- Opines that she is not very moral and, as she was meant to happen, she's not moral.
1011 wordsRead More - Lady Macbeth's Murder Analysisanalytical essayMacbeth and Lady Macbeth get into this mess on their own. It is their choice whether they would kill King Duncan. They choose to do so, which starts the ongoing mess. "Our royal master's murdered" (Act ll scene iii li 98)! This occurs when the people start telling the others the news of the king. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are forced to hide it, since this happens in their own house. Guilt is felt by the couple. Not only did they murder the King, but also the guards that were watching it happen. "Which of you have done this" (Act lll scene iiii li 63)? Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost for the first time. He is the one that sends out murderers to kill him. Now he haunts Macbeth. They were friends before he was killed. If Lady was in on this murder
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth and lady macbeth get into this mess on their own. they choose to kill king duncan, which starts the ongoing mess.
196 wordsRead More - Theme Of Duncan's Death In Macbethanalytical essayIn scene two of act two, the murder of Duncan is committed. Duncan was stabbed in the throat by Macbeth, whom was covered in blood as he walked back to his chamber. With lady Macbeth anxiously awaiting his arrival, Macbeth does not seem to be thrilled about the crime he has committed; he was sad and something evil overcame him. This would be a good scene for me to take a picture of not only for to see the change in Macbeth, but to see what lady Macbeth would do to become royalty.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the murder of duncan is committed in scene two of act two. lady macbeth was covered in blood as he walked back to his chamber.
93 wordsRead More - Duncan In Macbethanalytical essayDuncan is a person that seems to be misled. If you are nice to him, he will be nice to you and think you are a nice person. He does not know how to judge a person. He just goes along with everything. From Act 1 Scene 4 Duncan hears from his son about about the death of king of Cawdor. So he takes action to cover his butt.He does what is best for his kingdom and what will make the people safe and happy. Duncan wants a king dead and he wants Macbeth to kill him. Duncan praises Macbeth for killing a man and wants him to be the king of Cawdor. King Duncan also holds lots of power where everyone waits to hear from him on his word about Macbeth being king of Cawdor. Duncan reminds me of a high schooler just being fake till they make it out alive.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how duncan is a person that seems to be misled. he doesn't know how to judge people and just goes along with everything.
200 wordsRead More - How Does Shakespeare Present Duncan's Death In Macbethanalytical essayIn this soliloquy, Macbeth is thinking about how he killed the king and how it is a big act of treason and he regrets doing it. Macbeth talks about how he and Lady Macbeth will live their lives full of constant fear and will never be at peace. When he says “ere we will eat our meal in fear” he is implying how they will go through the rest of their days filled with fear of what they did. When he says sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams” he is saying that even when sleeping they will be full of paranoia of their action of murdering the King. Macbeth also talks about how his act of killing Duncan is the worst act of treason possible. He explains how what they did will torture their minds forever and how “treason has done it’s worst”. He says nothing can hurt Duncan any further because treason has killed him. Macbeth then talks about how there is no going back and changing what happened, which shows his guilt and that he is thinking about wanting to change the past. He says “after life's fitful fever he sleeps well” talking about how King Duncan cannot awake from his death. Because of what they did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s minds will torture them forever. Finally, Macbeth’s state of mind is not stable and is undergoing paranoia and restless fear. Which shows his gut feelings of guilt throughout the play.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth's soliloquy shows his guilt and paranoia, and how he regrets killing the king.
319 wordsRead More - Macbeth's Murder of Duncan in William Shakespeare's Macbethanalytical essayMacbeth's Murder of Duncan in William Shakespeare's Macbeth Various different influences act upon Macbeth causing him to murder Duncan. The main ones are his ambition, his wife and the witches. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a brave warrior, described as noble and valiant, who knows his place and is a loyal servant to the king.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how various influences act upon macbeth causing him to murder duncan. the main ones are his ambition, his wife and the witches.
- Explains that macbeth has a hidden desire deep inside, which is unearthed by the witches, reinforced by his wife, and then acted upon to become king.
- Analyzes how macbeth logically presumes that the next will do too. the witches hail him first as glamis, then as cawdor, which soon comes true.
- Analyzes how macbeth is keen to hear of this "strange intelligence" as they have touched upon a coveted ambition. the witches also tempt banquo, but he sees through them.
- Analyzes how macbeth flinches when he hears the prophesy, and banquo notices, "good sir, why do you start and seem to fear/ things that do sound so fair?" lady mac
- Analyzes how lady macbeth is another influence acting upon her. after receiving her letter, it turns out that she is as ambitious as her husband. she assumes that they need to kill duncan.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth is determined, dominant, powerful, and frightening in her intense ambition for her husband and when he arrives.
- Analyzes how duncan convinces himself that it's easiest not to kill duncan in his soliloquy. she is contemptuous of his change of heart and accuses him of cowardice, insults his manhood, and cajoles him back into committing "this terrible feat".
- Analyzes how a dagger appears before macbeth just before he kills duncan and encourages him as it "marshall'st me the way that i was going."
- Analyzes how macbeth's "vaulting ambition" leads him into premeditated murder, with his wife, and partner, behind him.
- Analyzes how macbeth's ambition is his driving force and his weakness. fate is a minor factor to be considered.
653 wordsRead More