Macbeth - Responsibilities & Forces

Responsibilities & Forces

The very first rule in physics is that "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Meaning, for every action that is made, anticipate the reverse of what occurred. This rule isn't only applied to physics though; it occurs throughout life. In Shakespeare's Macbeth the question is brought about as to whether or not Macbeth can be held accountable for his actions, when he has specific forces influencing his decisions. Criminals are held accountable for the crime they have committed, adults are held responsible for their actions when they do not go to work, and students are in charge of making sure their work is completed on time or their grade will suffer. Everyone takes responsibility for their actions, even if there are influencing factors involved. Macbeth may be influenced by factors around him, but it is was still his decision to be influenced and pay attention to these factors. Therefore Macbeth should take complete responsibility for what he has done, just like any other criminal or late employee, or even sick student. Everyone takes responsibility for their actions.

Macbeth may have been acting under the influence of many factors, but that doesn't mean that all the factors directly told him "Kill King Duncan" or "Kill Banquo." T The first First witch . " All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee thane of Glamis!"/ Sec. witch " All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane Cawdor!"/ Third witch. "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (I.iii.149-153) From this Macbeth assumes on killing King Duncan to get what he wants, the prophecies never directly told him to kill Duncan, he just did.

All Macbeth wants is to be loved by his wife, which shows to be his weakness. Which is probably why it isn't such a surprise that Lady Macbeth has a role in the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth is highly influential on Macbeth, she is basically the bully in the situation. When Macbeth no longer wants to follow through with the murder, she calls him a coward and that if she said she was going to do something, she would do it, no questions asked. By saying this she is questioning why Macbeth is backing down from his word, when she, a female, wouldn't. Lady Macbeth. "What beast was't then/ That made you break this enterprise to me?/ When you durst so it, then you were a man;/ And, to be more than what you were, you would/ Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place/ Did then adhere and yet you would make both:/ They have made themselves and that their fitness now/ Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know/ How tender 'tis love the babe that milks me:/ I would; while it was smiling in my face, / Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums/ And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you/ Have done to this." (I.vii. 526-538) Since