Macbeth Murders Duncan example essay topic

In the play MacBeth, the main character MacBeth is consumed by his ambition. His ambition is out of control, he kills Duncan, he murders, or attempts to murder everyone who he thinks may suspect him, he demands to know his entire fate from the witches, and Lady MacBeth keeps encouraging it. When MacBeth learned from the witches that he would become King after being named Thane of Cawdor, he immediately began to think of how he was going to get to be King "MacBeth said: Whose horrid image doth unfix his hair / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs", Act I Scene 3 Line 135. After being named Thane of Cawdor, King Duncan comes to visit him at his castle. While all Duncan servants are in a drunken sleep, MacBeth murders the King "MacBeth said: I have done the deed". Act II Scene 2 Line 15.

Though this is just the beginning of his out of control ambition. MacBeth is becoming more paranoid about his crown being taken from him so he calls on murders to protect his crown and now let anyone touch him. These murders first task to make sure the witch's prophecy about Banquo doesn't come true "MacBeth states: Both of you / Know Banquo is your enemy" Act Scene 1 Line 114-115. The murders are sent to murder Banquo and Fleance the night of MacBeth's coronation party. They catch Banquo and Fleance before they return the castle, they murder Banquo but Fleance escapes. After the murder of Banquo, MacBeth plans the murder of MacDuff because he is suspicious of his actions "MacBeth: How says thou, that MacDuff denies his person" Act Scene 5 Line 128.

To get back at MacDuff for escaping before he could murder him, MacBeth sends the murders to MacDuff's castle to kill everyone inside "The castle of MacDuff I will surprise; /Seize upon Fife; give to the edge of the sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool"; Act IV Scene I Line 150-154. Though his ambition causes him to do many evil things, he would not have had the confidence to even start all of this without his wife pushing him to keep him ambitious. She preys on the fact that in Elizabethan times, men were supposed to strong, fearless and invisible. He first started to lose his confidence after sending a letter to his wife about the prophecy. "Lady MacBeth says: Great Glam is!

Worthy Cawdor! /Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter". Act I Scene 5 Line 53-54. Before MacBeth is about to kill Duncan he start is getting cold feet, so Lady MacBeth gives him another pep talk. "That you break this enterprise to me? /When you durst do it, then you were a man"; Act I Scene 7 Line 48-49.

MacBeth murders Duncan then returns to his sleeping quarters, totally mesmerized with what he had done, Lady MacBeth again thrives on his manliness " Why worthy thane, You do unbend your noble strength to think" Act 2 Scene 2 Line 44-45. MacBeth went from a loyal servant of Duncan to an ambition powered lunatic that has been totally consumed. His ambition made him murder the King of Scotland, murder everyone who he believed a threat and let his wife play on his weaknesses to drive his ambition.