Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

                                      Act 2 scene 2 is the most violent and intense part of Macbeth although we do no actually witness the murder of King Duncan. It is interesting that Shakespeare chooses to have Macbeth kill Duncan offstage. We can only guess why he wrote the scene that way, I think that Shakespeare wanted to focus not on the murder but on Macbeth's reaction to it; the bloody details supplied by the audiences imaginations will be much worse than anything that could be done onstage. It is also the most crucial part of the play; it is the first of many murders. This scene takes place at night; I feel the darkness represents what is unnatural, cruel and evil. Everything that happens within the play appears to revolve around this particular scene. Not only is this important because it contains the murderous act, it also conveys to the audience the rapid disintegration of the relationship between the two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

             The blood the Macbeth caused to shed affected him mentally because his first kill lead the path for his next to kills. The fear of killing Duncan was so evident in Macbeth, but after he took the life of the king, killing was just another part getting crowned king and receiving what he wanted. Macbeth became a power hungry king who would do anything to get his way. When he thought about what the 3 witches and the prophesies that they had forecast him about Banquo having an air to the thrown, Macbeth found a way to solve that problem throw murder once again because the faster route was the best route in Macbeth's eyes. Even though his problems of threats to the thrown were solved, Banquo's murder haunted him for Banquo was not just another casualty to the cause, he was Macbeth's friend. After the incident, Macbeth started to see Banquo's ghost and the ideas of him killing his best friend played minded games on him, which caused him to lose him mind in front of all his companions.


Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

They signify the dark, cold and demented manner of MacBeth's killing spree. ... This encourages Macbeth's jealousy and eventually results in the killing of Banquo and his son. ... Upon returning to his village MacBeth has it in his mind to kill Duncan. ... Upon killing Duncan, MacBeth says, "take the present horror from the time" (II.i.72). ... Upon killing Banquo and the attempted murder of Fleance, MacBeth meets a third time with the three witches. ...

  • Word Count: 1290
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

But when he reaches his goal he finds himself insecure and attempts to remove threats the decrease his insecurity, by killing more people including his bestfriend Banquo. ... After killing Duncan Macbeth shows fear, which proves that he is not a bloodthirsty tyrant like Scotland thinks. ... He feels guilty and wants Duncan to come back to life. ... Macduff shows early on distrust of Macbeth. ... Macbeth is very desperate when he goes after Macduff's family, and he turns repulsive when he starts killing innocent children like Macduff's kids. ...

  • Word Count: 381
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

The only way he can become king is by killing Duncan and this is the beginning of MacBeth's corruption. ... Not satisfied with the amount of power he has obtained as the Thane of Cawdor, MacBeth plans on killing Duncan in order to gain his power. ... This shows that even though MacBeth considered killing Duncan in order to gain power, he still not totally corrupt and has some humanity left in him. The little glimmer of hope that MacBeth had of staying a decent and honest person vanished when MacBeth made up his mind to go through with killing Duncan. ... MacBeth wants to get MacDuff o...

  • Word Count: 1448
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

The thought of killing King Duncan to become king gives him an assurance of success, but he says, "Why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature?" ... Macbeth knows that killing Duncan is going against his nature, but he begins to develop great ambition for these vivid pictures of success that he sees. ... Before this soliloquy the Macbeth returns home to Lady Macbeth who is so confident about killing King Duncan and says that she will take it upon her hands. ... The play concludes by Malcom, Duncan...

  • Word Count: 1503
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

Lady Macbeth is responsible for the death of King Duncan and therefore more evil than Macbeth. ... Right from the beginning it is Lady Macbeth who speaks of killing the king. Lady Macbeth is the more dominant one in their relationship and manipulates Macbeth into killing the King. When Macbeth decides that killing the King is wrong Lady Macbeth proceeds to emasculate him. ... She figured out everything she would have to do and say to manipulate Macbeth into killing the King. ...

  • Word Count: 717
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

Macbeth played an instrumental role in the murder of Duncan. ... Lady Macbeth creates the plan to kill Duncan, and when Macbeth says "We will proceed no further in this business. ... Lady Macbeth is partly responsible for the murder of Duncan because she took Macbeth's ambition and incited Macbeth into killing Duncan although Macbeth had decided to "proceed no further in this business." Macbeth played an instrumental role in the murder of Duncan. ... Macbeth played an instrumental role in the murder of Duncan. ...

  • Word Count: 766
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

Lady Macbeth's reason for not killing Duncan herself is that Duncan resembles her father, so she leaves the murder up to Macbeth. ... Macbeth feels very guilty for killing Duncan, and his wife scorns him for appearing as weak. ... Macbeth is quite ashamed of himself for murdering Duncan. ... Lady Macbeth is proud of herself for finally following through with her plan and killing Duncan. She does not feel even the slightest bit remorseful for killing Duncan. ...

  • Word Count: 455
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

" (I, VII, 25-28) Here Macbeth says that he has "no spur", or real provocation for killing Duncan, other than his "vaulting ambition" which serves to feed his hunger for power and superiority. ... When Macbeth was contemplating whether or not to kill Duncan, he thinks to himself, "I go, and it is done. ... Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell/ that summons thee to heavan or to hell." (II, i, 75-77) This quote reveals almost an air of excitement by Macbeth "The bell invites me", at the prospect of a violent murder of the Duncan. ... He then goes on...

  • Word Count: 1890
  • Approx Pages: 8

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan Essay

The thought of killing King Duncan to become king gives him an assurance of success, but he says, "Why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature?" ... Macbeth knows that killing Duncan is going against his nature, but he begins to develop great ambition for these vivid pictures of success that he sees. ... Before this soliloquy the Macbeth returns home to Lady Macbeth who is so confident about killing King Duncan and says that she will take it upon her hands. ... The play concludes by Malcom, Duncan...

  • Word Count: 1493
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School


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