What reasons did Macbeth give for not killing Duncan?

Answer 1

Macbeth in his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 7 starting with the words, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere best it were done quickly" gives a number of reasons why he should not kill Duncan. He had many more reasons for not killing King Duncan than for carrying out the killing. For example, he owed the King respect as as cousin, host, and subject. Killing the King disrespected Duncan's position as benefactor, cousin, guest, and king. Additionally, the King was beloved and respected by the people of Scotland, and they were likely to be outraged by his murder. Finally, if people got the idea that you could become king by killing the king, wouldn't they do the same to Macbeth if he became king in this way? (And of course this is exactly what happened.) In addition he says to his wife that he should enjoy his new titles while they are still new. There was only one reason that Macbeth could offer himself in favor of the murder. That sole reason was his ambition, and Macbeth didn't think much of it, calling it "vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself".

Macbeth was a loyal servant to Duncan and saw Duncan as a great king. Duncan was also an esteemed guest at the house of Macbeth at the time. Killing Duncan went against all of these logical reasons Macbeth had thought of.

Answer 2

Macbeth killed King Duncan for many reasons.

One of the reasons Macbeth kills Duncan is because three witches tell him a prophecy that he would become the next Thane of Cawdor and eventually become king. After the witches' prophecy comes true about Macbeth becoming the thane of Cawdor, he is tempted by wicked thoughts to murder King Duncan and fulfill his ambitions become the next king of Scotland.

The second reason is that Macbeth is driven by Lady Macbeth to become the next king of Scotland. Once Lady Macbeth finds out the three witches Prophecy in a letter about Macbeth becoming the next king of Scotland, She becomes lustful for the power and position to become the next queen. She urges him to kill Duncan so that he could retain the title of kingship and she constantly encourages Macbeth to kill Duncan and tells him that it is not a really big deal.

Answer 3

He is not a coward. He is not afraid to kill people; he has done that lots before.

But in his soliloquy "If it were done when 'tis done then it were well it were done quickly" in Act 1 Scene 7, he advances a number of arguments why he shouldn't kill Duncan:

1) It may have unforeseen consequences

2) Once people get the idea that it is ok to kill a king, no king is safe. He would be setting himself up to be murdered.

3) It's wrong, because Macbeth is a subject and has sworn allegiance to the king.

4) It's even more wrong, because Duncan is Macbeth's cousin and you don't kill family.

5) It's even more wrong than that because Duncan is a guest in his house, and for a host to kill a guest is totally taboo.

6) A lot of people admire Duncan and would hate anyone who killed him.

7) There's no good reason to do it apart from being greedy for power.

As a result, he comes to the conclusion not to go ahead with the murder.

Curiously, his willingness to break the taboo about hosts not killing their guests makes it easy for him to break other taboos, like slaughtering innocent children.

Answer 4

Essentially, in the beginning anyway, Macbeth is a character with strong morals; a brave, courageous and honourable man. Unfortunately, these traits are overpowered by his tragic flaws of greed and ambition. He doesn't really want to kill Duncan because he is loyal to the king and he is quite satisfied with the life he has, especially after Duncan names him thane of Cawdor, and enjoys being the glorified hero of the battle and the king's favoured man.

Answer 5

He is against killing King Duncan because:

1. He's Duncan's cousin

2. He's a good and virtuous leader

and 3. Because it would mean he would be killing for his own selfish purposes

Hope that helped :3

Answer 6

Macbeth goes through these reasons is his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 7 which begins, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly." To summarize:

1. Murdering people is wrong
2. Murdering a member of your family is worse
3. Murdering your king to whom your have sworn allegiance is worse yet
4. Murdering someone who is your guest is absolutely the worst.
5. Besides, it sets a bad precedent. If you get to be king by murdering someone, someone will want to be king by murdering you.
6. And what is more, the people like Duncan. They won't be happy with someone who kills him.

Answer 7

The murder is likely to have further consequences. If he gets the throne by murder, others might get the same idea. He is after all King Duncan's kinsman; cousin. He is his subject, meaning that he is suppose to protect the King, not plotting a murder! Lastly, he is a host, who is bound to protect his guest not murder him. And people will feel sorry for Duncan and be outraged at the murder, and will take it out on Macbeth if he is found out. On the other hand, his only reason to kill him is that he might become king, which he does not care enough about to outweigh the other reasons.