“A villain is the person or thing responsible for specified trouble, harm, or damage” (Oxford Dictionary). In Macbeth by William Shakespeare even though Lady Macbeth may appear to be the villain in actuality it is Macbeth. Although Lady Macbeth and the witches manipulate and pressure him, Macbeth is ultimately the true villain of the play because of the depth and breadth of the suffering he causes to so many innocents.
Firstly, Macbeth is the real villain because he instigates the murder of King Duncan. After being told he that he’s been named Thane of Cawdor Macbeth says:
I am thane of Cawdor:/If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, /Against the use of nature? …show more content…
Though his words Macbeth reveals that he thinks about killing King Duncan before returning home to see and tell Lady Macbeth that he is the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth’s words are momentous because they corroborate that even though once Macbeth arrives at his home and is persuaded and manipulated by Lady Macbeth he is the one who instigates King Duncan’s murder. Furthermore, Macbeth makes the choice to murder Banquo with no intervention from Lady Macbeth, and in fact keeps his plans a secret from Lady Macbeth. After telling Lady Macbeth of the plan to murder Banquo and his son Fleance, Macbeth says, “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, /Till thou applaud the deed.”(Shakespeare 3.5.45-46). Macbeth reveals he plans to murder Banquo and Fleance’s in an aside. Macbeth’s words are significant because they further substantiate that he orchestrated these acts by himself. In addition, Macbeth plans Macduff’s murder without lady Macbeth’s input. Macbeth decides to murder Macduff without any pressure from Lady Macbeth. After hearing the three apparitions Macbeth says, “Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? /But yet I 'll make assurance double sure, /And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live;/That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, /And sleep in spite of thunder.”(Shakespeare 4.1.81-85). Macbeth reveals that for assurance he will also kill Macduff. Macbeth does …show more content…
Macbeth orders the murders of Lady Macduff and all her children. While talking to Lennox, Macbeth says, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise;/Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o ' the sword/His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool;/This deed I 'll do before this purpose cool.”(Shakespeare 4.1.149-153). Macbeth reveals that he plans on murdering Lady Macduff and all her children to get revenge on Macduff. Macbeth’s words are crucial because they verify that Macbeth is the true villain because he causes suffering to Lady Macduff and her children who are innocent and should be sheltered not harmed. Additionally, Macbeth also causes harm to other innocent children. When planning Banquo’s murder Macbeth also orders the murder of his only son, Fleance. Upon planning Banquo’s murder with the murders Macbeth says, “Fleance his son, that keeps him company, /Whose absence is no less material to me/Than is his father 's, must embrace the fate/Of that dark hour.”(Shakespeare3.1.137-140). Macbeth reveals that since Fleance will be with Banquo in the forest he will suffer the same fate as his father even though he is an innocent bystander. Macbeth’s words are important because they show that Macbeth inflicts pain on those who have no part in the matter such as Fleance. Moreover, Macbeth also causes
Firstly, Macbeth is the real villain because he instigates the murder of King Duncan. After being told he that he’s been named Thane of Cawdor Macbeth says:
I am thane of Cawdor:/If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, /Against the use of nature? …show more content…
Though his words Macbeth reveals that he thinks about killing King Duncan before returning home to see and tell Lady Macbeth that he is the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth’s words are momentous because they corroborate that even though once Macbeth arrives at his home and is persuaded and manipulated by Lady Macbeth he is the one who instigates King Duncan’s murder. Furthermore, Macbeth makes the choice to murder Banquo with no intervention from Lady Macbeth, and in fact keeps his plans a secret from Lady Macbeth. After telling Lady Macbeth of the plan to murder Banquo and his son Fleance, Macbeth says, “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, /Till thou applaud the deed.”(Shakespeare 3.5.45-46). Macbeth reveals he plans to murder Banquo and Fleance’s in an aside. Macbeth’s words are significant because they further substantiate that he orchestrated these acts by himself. In addition, Macbeth plans Macduff’s murder without lady Macbeth’s input. Macbeth decides to murder Macduff without any pressure from Lady Macbeth. After hearing the three apparitions Macbeth says, “Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? /But yet I 'll make assurance double sure, /And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live;/That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, /And sleep in spite of thunder.”(Shakespeare 4.1.81-85). Macbeth reveals that for assurance he will also kill Macduff. Macbeth does …show more content…
Macbeth orders the murders of Lady Macduff and all her children. While talking to Lennox, Macbeth says, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise;/Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o ' the sword/His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool;/This deed I 'll do before this purpose cool.”(Shakespeare 4.1.149-153). Macbeth reveals that he plans on murdering Lady Macduff and all her children to get revenge on Macduff. Macbeth’s words are crucial because they verify that Macbeth is the true villain because he causes suffering to Lady Macduff and her children who are innocent and should be sheltered not harmed. Additionally, Macbeth also causes harm to other innocent children. When planning Banquo’s murder Macbeth also orders the murder of his only son, Fleance. Upon planning Banquo’s murder with the murders Macbeth says, “Fleance his son, that keeps him company, /Whose absence is no less material to me/Than is his father 's, must embrace the fate/Of that dark hour.”(Shakespeare3.1.137-140). Macbeth reveals that since Fleance will be with Banquo in the forest he will suffer the same fate as his father even though he is an innocent bystander. Macbeth’s words are important because they show that Macbeth inflicts pain on those who have no part in the matter such as Fleance. Moreover, Macbeth also causes