Who is responsible for the death of Duncan that's a tricky question because we all know that Macbeth physically murdered Duncan. But maybe it was not all his fault the murder could have been possibly shared between the witches, Banqou and maybe even Duncan. These people all play a part in this murder so we will look at each character in depth and work out whom is responsible for the death. First we will look at the witches and see what part she played in the death of Duncan.
If you notice in the beginning of Macbeth Shakespeare opens the play with the witches. This shows that they are important in the play and it also creates a scary atmosphere. And the witches are the first to mention Macbeth's name, which immediately connects them. Macbeths first words are.
" So foul and fair a day I have not seen " .
These words are the words the witches say in the beginning of the play. And the witches and Macbeth both speak in riddles. The witches great Macbeth with his own title and two predictions they are.
" All hail Macbeth hail to thee, king of Cowdor".
" All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter".
Banquo makes a quotation about Macbeth's reaction he asks him.
" Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear".
And he also gives his reaction.
" That he seems rapt withal.
This means that the witches have got hold of him, he is dazed. In Macbeths soliloquy Macbeth describes to the audience what is going through his head. Shortly after the witches disappear, the first prediction the witches makes almost comes true this then makes Macbeth believe in the power of the witches. In the soliloquy he shows that is thinking bad thoughts he uses a quotation. .
" Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature".
Macbeth seems disturbed by meeting the witches. But would Macbeth be disturbed if he was thinking about it before he met the witches. The witches actually said to Macbeth to go and kill Duncan, this means that Macbeth must be already thinking about killing Duncan.
