Who Is To Blame For The Murder In Macbeth

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The murder of King Duncan in the novel, Macbeth is one of the most noteworthy moments throughout the novel. Although the assassination is carried out by Macbeth, the person at fault for the murder is Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is able to lure Macbeth into committing the murder by speaking to Macbeth in a degrading manner. When introduced to the idea of the assassination, Macbeth clearly shows a stance of disapproval by stating “We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people, which would be worn now in their newest gloss, not cast aside so soon. (I, VII, 34-38)” Macbeth explains that he has been honored by the king, and to commit a criminal act against him would …show more content…

And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? From this time such I account thy love. Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valor as thou art in desire? (I, VII,39-45)”. This greatly displeases Lady Macbeth as she feels that choosing not to follow through with the killing would be an act of cowardice, and mentioning that if Macbeth yearns for the crown, he shall follow through and murder Duncan. Additionally, Lady Macbeth begins to question Macbeth’s masculinity in order to persuade him into the crime. She declares, “ What beast was't, then, that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man.Nor time nor place did then adhere, and yet you would make both. (I, VII, 54-59)”. By putting Macbeth’s masculinity into question, Lady Macbeth is able to make Macbeth feel inferior for choosing to not carry out the massacre. This feeling of shame makes Macbeth feel inadequate and causes him to change his stance. Eventually, Macbeth states, “I am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth

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