Who is to Blame For The Death of King Duncan? Essay Example

The death of King Duncan, we know who is responsible, but who is to blame? In the story Macbeth by Shakespeare, Macbeth is told two prophecies by three witches. One, he will become Thane of Cawdor, two he will become the king of Scotland. Macbeth has two options, he can either step aside and let fate do its work or he can get his hands dirty and do the work himself. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth decide to take the matter into their own hands and kill the king. We know who committed the crime but are they to blame? I believe that Lady Macbeth is to blame for the cause of this murder. 

When Lady Macbeth first got the letter hearing the news of the prophecies, “...Hurry home so I can persuade you and talk you out of whatever’s keeping you from going after the crown.” (No Fear Shakespeare A.1.S.5). Lady Macbeth immediately wants to help her husband, she doesn’t want him to back down and will do whatever it takes to get her husband the crown.

Though Macbeth thought of murdering the king, he never wanted to go through with it, he was ashamed of such dark thoughts.  “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.” (Shakespeare A.1.S.7). Macbeth says first he is Duncan's kinsman and subject and should always be there to protect him, and second, he should close the doors on murderers, not kill him himself.  Lady Macbeth pushed this murder on Macbeth, “I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this.” (Shakespeare A.1.S.7). Lady Macbeth is not letting Macbeth back down, she says, I would dash a baby's head against the wall if I told you I would do so. 

Others may believe that the witches are to blame for the death of King Duncan. “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Shakespeare A.1.S.3), the witches tell Macbeth that he will be King. The witches only tell Macbeth that he will be Thane of Cawdor and King, they do not give him any hints on what he needs to do to become king. Lady Macbeth is the one who continues to encourage her husband on committing this murder, “MACBETH We will speak further. LADY MACBETH Only look up clear. To alter favor ever is to fear. Leave all the rest to me.” (Shakespeare A.1.S.5). Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were discussing the matter of murdering the King, Macbeth does not want to continue the conversation but Lady Macbeth insists on going on with the plan. 

In conclusion, Lady Macbeth is to blame for the murder of King Duncan. Macbeth first thought of the idea of killing the king, but he was ashamed of this. Macbeth told his wife about his thoughts but Lady Macbeth continued to encourage him to go through with it. Lady Macbeth wanted to become as cold-hearted as possible so she could help her husband get the crown. Though Lady Macbeth did not physically commit the crime herself, she basically forced Macbeth to carry out the murder.