Macbeths Reason for Murder

In Macbeth written by Shakespear Macbeth is driven to commit murder not for his own ambition,but his wifes. Her ambition digged into his brain to make him think he had and needed to get rid of king Duncan. In order to become king. Macbeth was confused and wasn't sure of what to do to become king without hesitating.This is what I like to call the "which came first - the chicken or the egg" scenario. Macbeth was - by all accounts - very happy with his life as a subject of King Duncan. However, the three witches gave Macbeth a prophecy that he would eventually become king, which caused him to start thinking, and planning, and plotting, and killing.

In short, Macbeth kills Duncan to become king himself. The longer answer is that Duncan came to Macbeth's home for a visit, and while he was there Macbeth (with some strong urging from his wife) killed him to seize the throne for his own.

When I taught this in class my students always asked if the prophecy caused him to kill the king, or if Macbeth would have anyway. I tend to think that he would not have ever considered it without the witches planting that idea in his head (which they talk about later in the Macduff seems suspicious of these new deaths, which Macbeth explains by saying that his fury at Duncan’s death was so powerful that he could not restrain himself. Lady Macbeth suddenly faints, and both Macduff and Banquo call for someone to attend to her. Malcolm and Donalbain whisper to each other that they are not safe, since whoever killed their father will probably try to kill them next. Lady Macbeth is taken away, while Banquo and Macbeth rally the lords to meet and discuss the murder. Duncan’s sons resolve to flee the court. Malcolm declares that he will go south to England, and Donalbain will hasten to Ireland.