In class, Mrs. Ross posed the question, "Who is more guilty, Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?". For the most part, it seemed as if the class either blamed Lady Macbeth, or blamed them equally. On the other-hand, I find Macbeth to be more guilty. Macbeth was the first to contemplate killing King Duncan, if he didn't want to do it - or if he felt it was completely out of question, he wouldn't have mentioned it to his wife. Lady Macbeth urged Macbeth to kill Duncan, but she did not commit the murder herself. In fact during this time period she really didn't have much power, the only power she had was over Macbeth (which he essentially granted to her). Every person is responsible for their own actions. No one can "force" you to do anything (psychological speaking).
If this were tried today, Macbeth could be charged with 3 murders (thus far:first degree murder [duncan], third degree murder x2 [the two guards]). Lady Macbeth can only be charged with conspiracy to murder (however, it is rare that they could find evidence to back this up). If they were both pronounced guilty, Macbeth could be sentenced to life in prison or given the death penalty; Lady Macbeth could be sentenced (at most) to life in prison.
Also, it seems as if Lady Macbeth is beginning to feel remorse and she'd probably plee guilty, which could result in her receiving a lighter sentence. Whereas Macbeth is feeling paranoid and is conspiring to murder Banquo. What are your thoughts?
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I agree with "Every person is responsible for their own actions. No one can "force" you to do anything (psychological speaking)." However, it is hard to keep others from influencing you in certain situations. Self esteem, mental health, and perspectives really determine how we let people influence us. Macbeth had the mindset that he had to kill the king to fulfill the prophecy. It was what he thought to be, his own destiny. Also, Lady Macbeth may have a sentence if forensics got involved. Through autopsy reports, the specialists on the case would be able to see that the king had been drugged and can link it to Lady Macbeth.
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DeleteMacbeth put himself into that mindset though!! In reference to Lady Macbeth, I get what you mean but they wouldnt directly link it to her though (without any evidence, I mean.)
DeleteI agree with you when you say no one can force you to do anything but in this case I'll blame lady Macbeth because when I see both of them I see lady Macbeth as the bully and Macbeth as the weak one and like in today's world when the bully constantly tells the victim that they are ugly or stupid the victim will start to believe it and I feel that lady Macbeth had constantly let Macbeth know that he is not strong enough or powerful enough to do something and over time he came to believe it and I feel he killed Duncan just to prove her wrong
ReplyDeleteI don't know.. I mean Macbeth thought of himself highly and he had a big ego. He was at war before and was extremely proud. Personally I think he did it to prove to himself that he would follow through. I think his own ego is what led him to committing the murder. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent". But, I do see what you mean. It's just that I see Macbeth's intent to kill from the beginning and he is now conspiring to kill Banquo...
DeleteI can see what you mean by saying that no one makes you do anything unless you let them. Macbeth did allow Lady Macbeth to have control over him. So Macbeth is the one at fault but Lady Macbeth would be punished a lot less severely than her husband. Overall I think that Macbeth is more to blame because he allowed her words to take control over him and commit the murder.
ReplyDeleteYes, agree with you Zion. At times i am so stunned with how much words play a meaning in life and how badly some people can get manipulated in doing such horrible things. When I think about this situation, I try to picture it in modern times and how this would go down in court and if I were to be in the jury, I would personally say both are guilty.
ReplyDeleteIf both were considered guilty, but Lady Macbeth would get a lighter sentence.
DeleteI believe they are both guilty and both to blame for what they have done, they could have both said no, but they didn't and they went forth with their decisions.
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