, Research Paper
Macbeth guiltier than Lady Macbeth
Macbeth is a very exciting story containing all kinds of plots and
murders. The characters that are killing and are planning murders are
all very deceiving and treacherous. Two of the most dangerous
criminals in this play are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Together they
commit the most dreadful murder by killing the King; Duncan. This is
why it is difficult to determine which one of these two is more guilty,
because they each do their own part in committing the crime. Lady
Macbeth would prepare the plan and then encourage Macbeth to go
through with it. Macbeth did the actual murdering, he was also the first
person who thought about killing Duncan.
Furthermore he did some killing on his own. Lady Macbeth did
not have any involvement in these cases. Based on these facts,
Macbeth would be found more guilty than Lady Macbeth.
The very first person to be murdered in this story was Duncan.
This crime was planned by both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The
actual murder was done by Macbeth, making him more guilty of the
crime. Lady Macbeth just talked about committing the crime, but she
never actually went through with it nor would she ever, and that is all
that counts. Talking about committing the incident is very different
from actually doing it. Lady Macbeth did a little more than just talk
about it though. She also urged Macbeth into doing it and that is what
makes her part of this crime, but she is not as guilty as Macbeth. He
really didn t have to listen to what his wife said. Macbeth had a mind of
his own and he could make his own decision. After all, is Macbeth not
the one who said, We will proceed no further in this business… (I, vii,
3
committed by him, but were ordered by him. The people who did the
killing had no choice, they had to do it, because they worked for
Macbeth. Macbeth knew this and was a bit more guilty in these
murders then lady Macbeth was when she urged him. A good
example of this is the ordered Murder of Banquo. Even though it was
not Macbeth cutting the throat of Banquo, he still felt guilt and
remorse. Evidence of his quilt is found in Act III when Macbeth sees
the ghost of Banquo and says Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the
earth hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou
hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with. (III, iv,
93-96). Around this time, Macbeth feared that others saw the specter
and did not want others to know that he killed Banquo so he started to
lie to cover up his crime. Macbeth said Thou canst not say I did it…
(III, iv, 50). This is an effect from pure guilt.
The idea of killing Duncan first came Macbeth after he listened
to the witches prophecies that said he would become King. Macbeth
did not want to wait any longer and he thought the only way to become
King was to kill the present King; Duncan. Macbeth later told Lady
Macbeth about this and she just wanted to help him and do whatever
she could for him, so that he would be happy and be King. She was
also excited about becoming queen.
Evidence from the story shows the guiltiest person is Macbeth.
The evidence shows that it is he because Macbeth has the original
idea, he went against his better judgement, he continued his appalling
power trip by continuing his murdering, and finally the guilt caught up
with him as he began to hallucinate.