Reasons For The Killing Of King Macbeth

Arduous decisions plague the honored hero, Macbeth. Despite his prestige on the battlefield, Macbeth continues to face predicaments that test his morality, leaving him to choose between right and wrong. So far, he contemplates his most burdensome decision, whether or not to kill King Duncan. This decision weighs on Macbeth considerably as he debates on what to do. His reasons to kill the king, presented essentially by his wife, leave Macbeth skeptical. He opens his act with a convoluted soliloquy revealing his points on not killing the king. The act to kill the king would alter Macbeth's life forever, and he thoroughly explains why he should not commit this act. Macbeth decides not to kill the king because of the potential repercussions and moral atrocities of the act itself. …show more content…
But, all actions have consequences and Macbeth knows this; he acknowledges the weight of his decision and proposes what would happen if he killed the king. Macbeth understands the void of power the king’s death would leave and remains uncertain on whether or not the transition in power would be peaceful. Deciding to kill the king would pose a risk “that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor” (8-10). Knowing that people will follow Macbeth’s actions, the fear of someone killing Macbeth himself, causes him to remain hesitant of the murder. Moreover, killing someone carries a harsh punishment for the assailant in the form of ruining relationships with acquaintances. The killing of well liked King Duncan, would create unwanted enemies for Macbeth. Altogether, the fear of consequences force Macbeth to realize the burden of his