Macbeth: Who was the True Culprit Behind Duncan’s Murder? The question of who truly killed Duncan has long perplexed Shakespearean historians. Numerous theories have arisen, attributing the murder to MacDuff, Lady Macbeth, or even Duncan’s own two sons. However, I have formulated my own hypothesis regarding the demise of Duncan, which I am now prepared to elucidate.
Macbeth, present in the room with a dagger, did not have the courage to kill Duncan. His loyalty to his king and lack of motive prevented him from committing such an act. The witches’ prophecy may have made Macbeth somewhat ambitious, but he was not audacious enough to carry out the murder. Instead, it was Malcolm who reached his father first and killed him before Macbeth could intervene. Upon finding Duncan already dead, Macbeth removed the dagger thinking his wife was responsible, staining his hands with blood. Lady Macbeth fled without giving him a chance to explain what he had witnessed. In response, Macbeth cleaned and quietly returned the dagger without disclosing what he saw. The next morning, when the king’s body was discovered, Malcolm and Donaldbain fled for their lives. It was expected that Lady Macbeth’s dagger would be found in Duncan’s body by Macduff, but its absence unsettled Malcolm greatly as he himself was the true culprit behind Duncan’s murder.Donaldbain fled because he believed he would be the next target. Macbeth thought his wife was the murderer because of the dagger, while Lady Macbeth suspected Macbeth of killing the king based on the bloodstains on his hands and clothes.
In brief, the genuine plot behind Duncan’s death is believed to involve Malcolm rather than Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, or even Macduff. Dissatisfied with his father’s rule and longing for power, Malcolm conspired against him. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize Malcolm as the true perpetrator and one of the earliest skilled manipulators.
