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.