Essay/Term paper: Macbeth was not totally responsible for the evil unleashed in scotland

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Macbeth

Macbeth Was Not Totally Responsible For the Evil Unleashed In Scotland

Macbeth, although largely responsible, was not totally responsible for the
torrent of evil which was unleashed in Scotland after after Duncan's death.
Both Lady Macbeth and the supernatural powers must accept at last some of the
responsibility for the evil deeds unleashed during Macbeth reign. They both
forced Macbeth to be proactive in chasing the crown at a time when he was of the
opinion that " If chance may have me king why chance may crown me."

The play began with the forces of evil stirring Macbeths ambitions nature by
declaring that he " shall b king thereafter." They then said of thou be none."
Banquo noted how Macbeth looked fearful and he must have realised the witches
put into words what Macbeth had been thinking. The supernatural forces not only
got Macbeth thinking about how he could become king but also laid the
foundations for his feelings of insecurity that would lead to his subsequent
murder of Banquo.

The major external influence pushing Macbeth to kill Duncan was Lady Macbeth.
She knew her husband was " too full o' the milk of human kindness" to take the
initiative and she resolved to push him into murdering Duncan Macbeth was so
upset after killing Duncan he stated " I'll go no more,

I am afraid to think what I have done". Lady Macbeth then accepted the
responsibility of taking the daggers and smearing the grooms with blood. She had
goaded Macbeth into killing Duncan and she stopped him from falling apart with
remorse after having done the deed.

Macbeths reign as king was one of fear and insecurity that others would take the
crown from him. Of Banquo he said " their is none but he whose being I do fear".
Macbeth was obviously thinking back to the prophesies of the witches and he
resolved to kill Banquo. After killing Banquo, Macbeth stated" I am in blood
stepped in so that, should I invade no more returning were tedious as go o'er".
Macbeth has reached the stage that he feels he has done so many evil deeds that
he must keep going.

Macbeth begins to become unstable after killing Banquo and he keeps seeing
Banquo's ghost appear before him at the banquet.