Skip to main content

How can I compare the culpability of the three witches, Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth in Duncan's murder?

The Three Weird Sisters may be considered culpable in Duncan’s death only by giving Macbeth the prophecy. However, they did not specify how Macbeth would be king. There are many possible paths for the fulfillment of this prophecy. It was Macbeth’s hubris to assume that he had to be active in his accession to the throne. In this way, the major guilt lies with Macbeth, not the witches. They simply spoke the truth as Fate...

The Three Weird Sisters may be considered culpable in Duncan’s death only by giving Macbeth the prophecy. However, they did not specify how Macbeth would be king. There are many possible paths for the fulfillment of this prophecy. It was Macbeth’s hubris to assume that he had to be active in his accession to the throne. In this way, the major guilt lies with Macbeth, not the witches. They simply spoke the truth as Fate would bring it about.


Initially, Macbeth, while he considers the possibility of murder, is not sure if he should do anything. It is his wife, Lady Macbeth, who pushes him over the edge. She accuses him of being weak in not taking a darker path to achieve his destiny. Left alone, he may have waited to see how Fate played out the prophecy.


Overall, it is Macbeth who is culpable of the death of Duncan and Banquo, as well as the others. Lady Macbeth is also culpable of “aiding and abetting” these murders. She herself killed the guards that Macbeth was too frightened to kill. Though strong as a warrior, Macbeth’s weakness and susceptibility to wrong influence led to his downfall.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...
Post a Comment
Read more