Macbeth Group

Question:

bo
bo
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What are four reasons macbeth hesitated to kill the king? So far I think it is because he is a friend, subject, and good person.

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Posted by bo on Wednesday October 31, 2007 at 9:20 AM and tagged with macbeth, macbeth and king.

Answers:


  1. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Macbeth hesitates because he has sworn his loyalty as a subject to Duncan, because he is related to Duncan (the bonds of family were strong), because he has been treated well by Duncan and has a good reputation, and because he thinks to himself that if the Fates have said he will be Thane of Cawdor and King (one of them having already come true), that he can wait for it to come to him honorably.

     

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    Posted by amy-lepore on Wednesday October 31, 2007 at 10:29 AM

  2. apoorvajsh
    apoorvajsh Student

    In lines 7 - 25 of Act 1, Scene 7  Macbeth states the arguments against killing Duncan  -

    vengeance - the killer will be killed

    kinship - to you don't kill your relatives

    loyalty - you don't kill your king

    hospitality - a host dosen't kill his guest

    duncan's goodness - you dont kill a virtuous king 

    religion - the killer is damned for eternity

    pity and horror - murder is unnatural to innocent humanity and to heaven

    hope that helps. i fink its a good answer cos im a brittish kid. ha jks

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    Posted by apoorvajsh on Wednesday October 31, 2007 at 1:48 PM