Essay on Shakespeare's Macbeth - The Mystery of Third Murderer

William Shakespeare’s, Macbeth, is a theatrical piece is a very well known piece, it is by far one of the most studied pieces written by Shakespeare. Shakespeare is one of the most genius writers the world has seen, from sonnets to a full three hour plays, he is considered one of the best. Shakespeare was always able to keep everyone in the theater entertained, those from the “groundlings” sections to those who had a higher education level. Macbeth is a play about insanity, murder, sex, and tragedy; Macbeth goes on a rampage and has murder after murder on his hands. He murders everyone he’s close to, those who he trust, and those who know too much. In William Shakespeare’s theatrical play, Macbeth, I believe that everyone is to blame for the murders.

   Shakespeare's "Macbeth" holds many hidden themes within its already exuberant plot.  The first of these surrounds the murder of Duncan and the role that both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself played.  However, the true guilt of the murder can fall on either character.  Although Macbeth physically committed the crime, it was Lady Macbeth that pushed him to his limits of rational thought and essentially made fun of him to lower his esteem.  With Macbeth's defenses down, it was an easy task for Lady Macbeth to influence Duncan's murder and make up an excuse as to why she could not do it herself.  The guilt of Duncan's murder can be placed firmly on the head on Lady Macbeth.

Thane of Cawdor to me promise no less to them' (act 1, scene 3, page

Macbeth had two valid reasons to not commit regicide. One was that he was the king’s relative and subject and secondly, he was the king’s host and he should protect the king at all costs. And this loyal man did fulfil his duty to protect.

We certainly know that the direct responsible for Duncan’s death is Macbeth. However this does not necessarily mean he is to blame, for his violent death is obviously the consequence of certain influences that forced Macbeth to perform his fatal deed. Furthermore, to unearth the truth about who is really the guilty for Duncan’s murder we must explore the influences the different characters have on Macbeth’s impulses and the overall scenario of the slaying.

Lady Macbeth also feels that Banquo was a threat to their rule. She asks, "Is Banquo gone from court?" (3.2.1). Lady Macbeth also thinks that it is necessary to kill Banquo and Fleance (3.2.38). Later on in this scene, she wants to know her role when she asks Macbeth, "What's to be done?" (3.2.44). Her intentions of joining the other two murderers are so that the plan is carried out and no mistake is made in the process. This explains why Lady Macbeth could be a possible candidate for being the third murderer.

He is Duncan’s ‘kinsman and his subject’, he reminds himself that what he is doing is wrong and that he has the duty to protect the king, not murder him. In an interaction with Lady Macbeth prior to the murder of Duncan, he says they ‘shall proceed no longer in this business’, this shows that he has a moral compass, and he knows that what he is about to do is wrong. Also, previous to the murder he hallucinates a ‘dagger’, it is a figment of his imagination because he is very anxious, and is already feeling culpability. This part in the play is key in showing that Macbeth is consumed by guilt and anxiety, so is not in the best mindset to commit a murder. Despite this, he still kills Duncan. His guilt returns after the murder when an ‘Amen [is] stuck’ in his throat, he knows that he has sinned against God, and he is too anxious to say Amen. Immediately after killing Duncan he is ‘afraid to think of what [he has] done’, he has immense regret and feels a lot of guilt.

* Lady Macbeth plants the idea of murder in Macbeth’s head; however the witches only tell Macbeth the prophecies.

The second murder that Macbeth has committed was also an essential component in the murder of Duncan. It consisted of Macbeth killing the 2 guards while approaching Duncan because one of them yelled “murder!” in his sleep which woke both of them up so Macbeth decides to kill them to cover his tracks. This action backfires on him because if he didn't kill the guards, he could've gotten away with it and many of the people in his kingdom including Macduff would've still had respect for him and not have suspicions about him which could've potentially changed the whole course of the story. The irony in this murder is that after he killed the guards, he lied about killing them by telling Macduff and Lennox that when he went to Duncan's room and found him dead, he became enraged by the sight of the guards, covered in blood and holding the daggers, and killed them to avenge Duncan's death but Macduff didn't buy his story, exhibits further signs

    In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the repercussions of Macbeth murdering his King are very numerous. Through themes that include, imagery, soliloquies, atmosphere, and supernatural beings, Shakespeare enforces the magnitude of Macbeth’s crime. Most of these factors are linked together.

   Although Shakespeare had a great flare for plot material, he often had trouble with loose ends. Many times, seemingly important people will disappear from the script; they are never seen again. And other times, characters will suddenly appear out of nowhere. One such inconsistency is the identity of the third murderer in Macbeth.

The blame for the tragedy of Macbeth must be apportioned between the three witches, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself.

Macbeth is a victim of his own self. He killed Duncan. He killed his best friend Banquo. He could've stopped and look at himself. Macbeth knows he is killing innocent people and becoming so paranoid that his own mind became clouded to the point of no return.

A Tragic Hero is a common figure in many of Shakespeare’s works. A Tragic Hero is usually a figure of royalty, fame or greatness. This person is predominately good, but falls from prominence due to personality flaws that eventually lead to self-destruction.

The purpose of this essay is to describe Lady Macbeth’s role in the play and discuss why this makes her the most fascinating character. Her evil doings are the main reasons why she dominates the plot so greatly. These include the following: considers Macbeth to be a wimp not wanting to murder; letting Macbeth fulfill her plan; taking control over Macbeth’s thoughts and actions; turning Macbeth from a loyal man to a greedy, coldhearted human being. Also Lady Macbeth’s transformation in character and her relationship