| Term Paper Title | Macbeth: Many People Were Involved In The Death Of Duncan |
| # of Words | 775 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) | 3.1 |
Macbeth: 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. He understood the significance of
the prediction in relation to his own ambitions. Finally, Macbeth was aware of
his actions and he accepted them.
Macbeth murdered Duncan. He was the one who stabbed the King and he
admits that freely in the play. "I have done the deed" relates Macbeth to his
Lady after he completed the objective. (II, ii, l.19) Before the murder he says
"I go and it is done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven, or to hell." (II, I, l.69-71)
In such he plainly states his intent to murder Duncan and again later on, he
mentions in a soliloquy that "To know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself." (II,
ii, l.92) Preceding the actual death of Duncan, Macbeth's ambitions became
apparent as the significance of the prediction and actual events emerged.
Being an ambitious man, Macbeth said
"I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself
And falls on the other." (I,vii,l.25-28)
In this speech Macbeth broadcasts his immense ambitions which are the only
reason he is pursuing the witches prediction. Macbeth, upon hearing the witches
speak was startled at their prophecy. Banquo said to him "Good sir, why do you
start, and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair?"(I,iii,l.54-55) Macbeth
was startled because of the implications of the forecast. Macbeth had thought
before about the very thing that he was now being told was his. He was
infatuated with the idea and he lusted after information pertaining to it.
"Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more:
By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis;
But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives,
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence
You owe this strange intelligence? or why
With such prophetic greeti...Read entire document
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