Macbeth Is Guiltier Than Lady Macbeth Essay

, Research Paper

Macbeth guiltier than Lady Macbeth

Macbeth is a very exciting story containing all kinds of plots and

murders. The characters that are killing and are planning murders are

all very deceiving and treacherous. Two of the most dangerous

criminals in this play are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Together they

commit the most dreadful murder by killing the King; Duncan. This is

why it is difficult to determine which one of these two is more guilty,

because they each do their own part in committing the crime. Lady

Macbeth would prepare the plan and then encourage Macbeth to go

through with it. Macbeth did the actual murdering, he was also the first

person who thought about killing Duncan.

Furthermore he did some killing on his own. Lady Macbeth did

not have any involvement in these cases. Based on these facts,

Macbeth would be found more guilty than Lady Macbeth.

The very first person to be murdered in this story was Duncan.

This crime was planned by both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The

actual murder was done by Macbeth, making him more guilty of the

crime. Lady Macbeth just talked about committing the crime, but she

never actually went through with it nor would she ever, and that is all

that counts. Talking about committing the incident is very different

from actually doing it. Lady Macbeth did a little more than just talk

about it though. She also urged Macbeth into doing it and that is what

makes her part of this crime, but she is not as guilty as Macbeth. He

really didn t have to listen to what his wife said. Macbeth had a mind of

his own and he could make his own decision. After all, is Macbeth not

the one who said, We will proceed no further in this business… (I, vii,

32). The other murders that Macbeth was involved in were not

committed by him, but were ordered by him. The people who did the

killing had no choice, they had to do it, because they worked for

Macbeth. Macbeth knew this and was a bit more guilty in these

murders then lady Macbeth was when she urged him. A good

example of this is the ordered Murder of Banquo. Even though it was

not Macbeth cutting the throat of Banquo, he still felt guilt and

remorse. Evidence of his quilt is found in Act III when Macbeth sees

the ghost of Banquo and says Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the

earth hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou

hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with. (III, iv,

93-96). Around this time, Macbeth feared that others saw the specter

and did not want others to know that he killed Banquo so he started to

lie to cover up his crime. Macbeth said Thou canst not say I did it…

(III, iv, 50). This is an effect from pure guilt.

The idea of killing Duncan first came Macbeth after he listened

to the witches prophecies that said he would become King. Macbeth

did not want to wait any longer and he thought the only way to become

King was to kill the present King; Duncan. Macbeth later told Lady

Macbeth about this and she just wanted to help him and do whatever

she could for him, so that he would be happy and be King. She was

also excited about becoming queen.

Evidence from the story shows the guiltiest person is Macbeth.

The evidence shows that it is he because Macbeth has the original

idea, he went against his better judgement, he continued his appalling

power trip by continuing his murdering, and finally the guilt caught up

with him as he began to hallucinate.