How was Macbeth influenced to kill duncan?

Answer 1

Macbeth was influenced in a variety of ways to engage in 'bloody business' and ultimately 'bear the knife' against Duncan.

Firstly, the three 'weird sisters' (the witches) tell Macbeth that he will become king- 'all hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter'. They put this idea in his head, which sparks his 'vaulting ambition'. Then his 'dear wife' (Lady Macbeth) hears about their 'supernatural soliciting' and tells him that in order to be king, he must kill Duncan.

Macbeth is initially hesitant about murdering Duncan who he deems to be a great king. But then Duncan names his son, Malcolm, heir to the throne and reignites Macbeth's 'deep and dark desires' to become the reigning Monarch.

Still slightly uncertain, Lady Macbeth threatens his manhood, 'When you durst do it, then you were a man' and Macbeth creeps towards Duncan's chambers, intending to commit the 'horrid deed'. He is further encouraged when a supernatural motif, a 'dagger of the mind' appears before him. On it are 'gouts of blood' and this inspires Macbeth to open the door and instigate Duncan's 'surcease'.

A combination of supernatural forces, a manipulative wife, three scheming witches and Duncan's decision to announce his son future king are all influencing factors in Macbeth's ultimate decision to murder King Duncan.

Answer 2

Lady Macbeth ringing a bell.

Macbeth tells a servant "Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, she strike upon the bell." This is strange, since we know of no drink that is being prepared for Macbeth. But presumably the servant will deliver the message as it is, and Lady Macbeth will understand something by it. Probably they have a code that he will send this message about ringing a bell when his drink is ready to show that he is now ready to commit the murder. They then have a further code that the bell-ringing is a signal to Macbeth to proceed; he says "the bell invites me". Presumably he has to wait for her signal because after she gets his message she will ensure that the grooms are asleep and steal their daggers and put them next to Duncan. She says, "I laid their daggers ready; he could not miss 'em". It's an oddly complicated arrangement.

Answer 3

Macbeth tells a servant "Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, she strike upon the bell." This is strange, since we know of no drink that is being prepared for Macbeth. But presumably the servant will deliver the message as it is, and Lady Macbeth will understand something by it. Probably they have a code that he will send this message about ringing a bell when his drink is ready to show that he is now ready to commit the murder. They then have a further code that the bell-ringing is a signal to Macbeth to proceed; he says "the bell invites me". Presumably he has to wait for her signal because after she gets his message she will ensure that the grooms are asleep and steal their daggers and put them next to Duncan. She says, "I laid their daggers ready; he could not miss 'em". It's an oddly complicated arrangement.

Answer 4

Macbeth waits for Lady Macbeth to ring a signal bell so that he can then go upstairs to Duncan's chamber to murder him.

Answer 5

The signal was ringing the bell, to let him know that she had drugged the drinks of the grooms, and he was safe to go murder Duncan.

Answer 6

She rings a bell. Macbeth says, "the bell invites me. Hear it not Duncan for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell."