Lady Macbeth: the Slayer of King Duncan

Last Updated: 27 Jan 2021
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Lady Macbeth: The slayer of King Duncan In the 7th grade I was suspended from school for being an “instigator. ” I would cause disputes by persuading individuals who didn’t like one another, to hate one another. I’d gradually use my dynamic lingo to provoke the victims in the so called scuffle to get to that final step where they’d lose it and fight. I got what I wanted by manipulating the ones who were vulnerable and unsure what to do when placed in a troubling situation. Understanding the consequences, I received the same punishment as if I was in the fight myself.

That same exact concept could be used to express how Lady Macbeth is more responsible for slaying King Duncan herself. Throughout the story the audience notices how manipulative and depraved Lady Macbeth can be. She has such a huge impact on how Macbeth thinks and on the actions he makes. Just like any other committed wife, she wants the best for her husband. She wants him to chase his glorious ambition, but fears he may not have enough determination to carry out the devious act in order to become the new “King of Scotland. ” We soon learn that Lady Macbeth will do anything he assist her husband in achieving this glorious ambition.

On page 311-312, Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 10-15: Lady Macbeth states, “That which cries, thus thou must do,” if thou have it, and that which rather thou dost fear to do, than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round, which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal. ” This reveals the first step in Lady Macbeth’s plot to slay King Duncan, which is confirming her own opinion on the letter placed before her eyes.

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These lines allow the audience to visualize who she is as a person and also allows the audience to make a prediction on what move she will make next. After she prays to the spirits to take the feminine features out of her, so she could be a stern and heartless human being, Macbeth returns. This is the exact moment when she begins her act. On page 314, Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 63-65: Lady Macbeth says, “Only look up clear, To alter favor ever is to fear, Leave all the rest to me,” which basically declares that Lady Macbeth is entirely aware and up to date on what’s going on.

She assertively enlightens Macbeth on how to disguise himself of his uncertainty and second thoughts about killing the king and is willing to accommodate Macbeth with anything else he needs assistance with. The second step in her scheme is now in the process of being complete. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are reunited and now Lady Macbeth is preparing her husband mentally to perform the assassination by giving him confidence and tips on how to remain unexposed to suspicion. However, later in Act 1 it is clear that Macbeth didn’t take the advice provided by Lady Macbeth earlier in Scene 5.

On pg. 316, Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 31-35: Macbeth adds, “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. ” Macbeth has decided he will no longer continue with this atrocious plot to murder King Duncan. It could over been over right there. King Duncan could have finished his meal, slept in peace and harmony, and returned home in the morning. Finally, Lady Macbeth slays King Duncan.

After Macbeth claims that he will not go through with this dirty business any longer, Lady Macbeth ups her game. Lady Macbeth replies with, “When Duncan is asleep—Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey Soundly invite him—his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassail so convince that memory, the warder of the brain, shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep Their drenched natures lie as in a death, what cannot you and I perform upon The unguarded Duncan?

What not put upon his spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt of our great quell? ” She improvises and takes matters a step further. Not only did she provide a new and improved plan to her husband, but assured him that going through with this to strive for his ambition will bring him and herself promising awards. At the end of the act, Macbeth is certain that he will carry out with murdering King Duncan due to the dynamic lingo of Lady Macbeth. In conclusion, an instigator is someone who deliberately foments trouble.

Throughout the story the audience can confirm that Lady Macbeth was in fact more responsible for the murder of King Duncan. Her plan of attack contained the three steps which were establishing an opinion, preparing the victim mentally (Macbeth), and providing a plan for execution of the task. Each of these steps contributed to the satisfaction of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s dreams and desires (Lady Macbeth’s intention from the beginning). Lady Macbeth is an instigator and more responsible for slaying King Duncan the Macbeth is.

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Lady Macbeth: the Slayer of King Duncan. (2016, Dec 04). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/lady-macbeth-the-slayer-of-king-duncan/

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