Macbeth - Who is to blame for Duncan's death?

Guildford Shakespeare Company Trust

18 Oct 202105:14

Summary

TLDRIn this lively discussion, participants explore the question of blame and responsibility for King Duncan's murder in *Macbeth*. While Macbeth physically commits the act, Lady Macbeth's influence plays a significant role. However, it's suggested that Macbeth's own ambition and desire for power were already present, merely sparked by the witches. The debate leans toward a shared responsibility, with Macbeth ultimately making the conscious decision. The conversation also touches on how modern perspectives often vilify Lady Macbeth unfairly, overlooking Macbeth's own agency in his choices.

Takeaways

🎭 The discussion revolves around the blame for the murder of Duncan Macbeth in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
🤔 The participants agree that Macbeth bears the majority of the blame (70%), with Lady Macbeth influencing him but not being the sole cause.
🌱 It's suggested that Macbeth had the ambition and desire for power already within him, which was activated by the witches' prophecy.
🗡️ Macbeth is seen as the one who ultimately uses the knife to commit the murder, but Lady Macbeth is credited with the idea and planning.
🧙‍♀️ The witches are acknowledged for planting the idea of kingship in Macbeth's mind, but they do not directly instruct him to kill Duncan.
👑 Lady Macbeth is often vilified and historically blamed more for Duncan's murder than Macbeth, which the discussion aims to reevaluate.
💡 The conversation highlights the dynamic of a power couple and how one influences the other, which is a theme still relevant today.
🚫 Macbeth has a moment of refusal to proceed with the murder, showing he has the ability to choose against it, but Lady Macbeth persuades him otherwise.
🤝 The couple is described as a team, with one member (Lady Macbeth) having a significant influence on the other's actions.
🌟 The discussion also touches on the idea that Macbeth may have contemplated kingship and murder prior to the witches' prophecy, indicating a premeditated thought process.
❓ The participants question the responsibility and blame, distinguishing between the two and considering the characters' control over their actions despite external influences.

Q & A

Who does the group think is primarily responsible for Duncan's murder in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?
-The group believes that Macbeth is primarily responsible, with Lady Macbeth having a significant influence. They suggest a 70% responsibility for Macbeth and 30% for Lady Macbeth.
What role do the witches play in the group's discussion of Duncan's murder?
-The witches are seen as the catalysts who plant the idea of Macbeth becoming king, but they do not directly instruct him to commit murder. The group acknowledges that the witches' prophecy activates Macbeth's ambition.
How does the group view the influence of Lady Macbeth on Macbeth's actions?
-The group recognizes Lady Macbeth's significant influence, noting that she positions Macbeth to commit the first murder. However, they also argue that Macbeth has his own ambition and the decision to act on it ultimately lies with him.
What historical perspective does the group discuss in relation to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's roles?
-The group discusses the historical context of the 11th century, suggesting that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth might be one of the earliest examples of a power couple in literature.
Why does the group think Lady Macbeth is often vilified more than Macbeth for Duncan's murder?
-The group suggests that it's easier to vilify Lady Macbeth because she is the one who devises the plan and persuades Macbeth to act. They also note that historically, women have often been blamed more in such situations.
What does the group discuss about the concept of agency in relation to Lady Macbeth?
-The group acknowledges Lady Macbeth's agency, noting that she has a strong motivation and drive to influence Macbeth. However, they also emphasize that Macbeth has the final say in his actions.
How does the group differentiate between 'blame' and 'responsibility' in the context of Duncan's murder?
-The group discusses that while 'blame' might be more associated with Lady Macbeth due to societal biases, 'responsibility' is shared between both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, as they both play active roles in the murder.
What does the group think about Macbeth's initial reaction to the witches' prophecy?
-The group believes that Macbeth is unsure at first but is enticed by the prophecy. They suggest that the ambition was already within him, and the witches' words merely activate it.
How does the group view the progression of Macbeth's actions after the first murder?
-The group sees a snowball effect where Macbeth, once he commits the first murder, continues down a path of violence to maintain his power, showing a lack of restraint and an increasing willingness to do whatever it takes.
What does the group discuss about the modern-day parallels to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's power dynamics?
-The group draws parallels to modern-day power couples in politics, suggesting that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's dynamics are not unique and can be seen in various contexts throughout history.
How does the group interpret Macbeth's statement about 'chance' crowning him king?
-The group interprets Macbeth's statement as an indication that he is contemplating the prophecy without necessarily planning to act on it, showing that the decision to murder Duncan is a conscious choice he makes later.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Who's to Blame for Duncan's Murder?

The discussion opens by questioning who is to blame for Duncan's death. The speakers agree that while both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are responsible, Macbeth carries more weight (70% to Lady Macbeth's 30%). Macbeth's ambition and desire for power were already present, merely activated by external influences, like the witches. Lady Macbeth pushes Macbeth to act on thoughts he may have already had. Although it's Macbeth who physically commits the murder, Lady Macbeth orchestrates the plan. However, it’s emphasized that Macbeth could have resisted, implying both are culpable but in different capacities.

05:01

💡 The Influence of Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth’s influence over Macbeth is explored in depth. It’s argued that, historically, Lady Macbeth is often blamed for Duncan’s murder, potentially more than Macbeth himself. The narrative of Lady Macbeth as the manipulative figure behind Macbeth’s actions is discussed, suggesting that it's unfair to vilify her alone. The speakers contemplate the modern perspective of accountability, wondering who would be seen as the primary culprit versus an accessory in a contemporary setting. The relationship is described as a 'power couple,' each driving the other, yet Macbeth remains the one ultimately responsible for carrying out the murder.

🗡 Macbeth's Moment of Hesitation

The conversation moves to Macbeth’s brief moment of hesitation when he declares, 'We will proceed no further with this business.' Despite his reluctance, Lady Macbeth's persuasion drives him to follow through with the murder. The speakers acknowledge that while she is influential, Macbeth is not under duress—he makes a conscious choice to proceed. His knowledge of the moral wrong in his actions is emphasized, but his ambition and desire for power overpower his ethical considerations, reinforcing that Macbeth is ultimately responsible for his own decisions.

🔮 The Role of the Witches

The responsibility of the witches is questioned, with some arguing that they planted the seed of ambition in Macbeth. However, it is emphasized that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are still in control of their actions. Although the witches offer a prophecy, they don’t explicitly tell Macbeth to kill Duncan, meaning the idea originates within Macbeth. The speakers reflect on how Macbeth misinterprets the prophecy, deciding that if he’s to be king, he must kill the current king. This underscores that the witches may have influenced him, but the responsibility for the murder lies with Macbeth’s own choices.

🔪 Macbeth's Conscious Decision to Act

The final paragraph emphasizes Macbeth’s conscious decision to act on the witches’ prophecy. Despite initial hesitation, he ultimately chooses to stab Duncan. The speakers highlight Macbeth’s internal conflict, with him initially considering that fate might make him king without action. Nevertheless, he decides to take matters into his own hands. The summary reinforces the central theme that Macbeth actively chooses his path, making him responsible for Duncan’s murder, regardless of external influences.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Macbeth

Macbeth is the protagonist of the play 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare. In the script, he is depicted as a character with inherent ambition and a desire for power, which is activated by the witches' prophecy. His decision to kill King Duncan to fulfill this prophecy is central to the play's plot. The discussion in the script revolves around the extent of his responsibility for his actions, with a focus on whether his ambition was pre-existing or entirely induced by external influences.

💡Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is a central character in 'Macbeth' and the wife of Macbeth. She is portrayed as a driving force behind Macbeth's decision to murder King Duncan, providing him with the plan and motivation to carry out the act. The script discusses her role and influence on Macbeth, suggesting that while she plays a significant part in the tragedy, the ultimate responsibility for the actions lies with Macbeth himself.

💡King Duncan

King Duncan is the king of Scotland in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' and the victim of Macbeth's ambition. His murder is the pivotal event that sets the tragic course of the play in motion. The script discusses who is to blame for his death, with participants debating the relative responsibility of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and the witches.

💡Witches

The witches in 'Macbeth' are supernatural beings who provide the prophecy that Macbeth will become king, which sets the play's events in motion. Their role is discussed in the script, with participants considering whether they are to blame for the tragic outcome or if they merely plant the seed of ambition in Macbeth's mind.

💡Ambition

Ambition is a central theme in 'Macbeth' and a driving force behind Macbeth's actions. It is discussed in the script as an inherent quality in Macbeth that is exacerbated by external influences, such as the witches' prophecy and Lady Macbeth's encouragement. The script explores how ambition can lead to moral corruption and tragic consequences.

💡Power

Power is a recurring concept in the script and the play 'Macbeth'. It is the ultimate goal that Macbeth seeks, leading him to commit regicide. The discussion in the script revolves around the corrupting influence of power and the lengths individuals might go to obtain and maintain it.

💡Influence

Influence is a key concept in the script, particularly in relation to Lady Macbeth's impact on Macbeth's decisions. It is debated whether her influence is the primary cause of Macbeth's actions or if it merely brings out his pre-existing desires for power.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility is a central theme in the script, as the participants discuss who is ultimately responsible for King Duncan's death. The conversation explores the concept of moral responsibility and the extent to which individuals can be held accountable for their actions when influenced by others.

💡Agency

Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices. In the script, the participants discuss Lady Macbeth's agency and whether she is an active participant in the murder plot or merely a catalyst for Macbeth's actions.

💡Vilify

Vilify means to portray someone as wicked or evil, which is a concept discussed in the script in relation to Lady Macbeth. The participants debate whether she has been unfairly vilified throughout history as the primary instigator of King Duncan's murder.

💡Prophecy

Prophecy plays a significant role in 'Macbeth', as it is the witches' prediction that Macbeth will become king that instigates the play's tragic events. The script discusses the impact of the prophecy on Macbeth's actions and whether it is a self-fulfilling prophecy that leads to his downfall.

Highlights

Macbeth holds more responsibility for Duncan's murder than Lady Macbeth, as he had ambition and power desires already present.

Lady Macbeth influences Macbeth significantly, but the idea of murder is already within him, only activated by the witches.

Macbeth's ambition was present before Lady Macbeth's influence, making him more culpable in the act.

The witches plant the seed of the idea, but Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ultimately make the decisions.

Despite his initial hesitation, Macbeth is swayed by Lady Macbeth's plan and carries out the murder.

Lady Macbeth creates the plan and pushes Macbeth towards the first murder, but Macbeth willingly follows through.

The witches play a pivotal role in planting the idea of becoming king, but Macbeth jumps to the conclusion that he must kill Duncan.

It is easy to vilify Lady Macbeth historically, but Macbeth shares equal responsibility for Duncan's murder.

In modern terms, Lady Macbeth could be seen as an accessory, but Macbeth is the one who commits the actual crime.

The power dynamic between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth resembles a 'power couple,' showing mutual influence and ambition.

Macbeth initially refuses to proceed with the murder but is persuaded by Lady Macbeth to change his mind.

Macbeth still had the option to stop the murder even after Lady Macbeth's persuasion but chose to act.

Macbeth was fully aware of the wrongness of his actions, but his desire for power overrode his morals.

Macbeth likely considered murdering Duncan before the witches' prophecy, meaning the ambition was present from the start.

Although the witches do not explicitly instruct Macbeth to kill Duncan, he interprets the prophecy as a directive to act.