Causes Of Malcolm's Death In Macbeth

In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, deaths of many character take place, all of which stem from Malcolm’s actions. First, the death of Duncan, who died because of the lack of fear of Malcolm. Next, the death of Banquo and Macduff’s family, both of which happen because Malcolm left Scotland and forces other to take action for him. Also, the death of Lady Macbeth, who commits suicide, because of the guilt left upon her by the absent Malcolm. Finally, Macbeth’s death which happen both because Malcolm did not assume his role as king allowing a shift in the character designated position in society and showing Malcolm’s inaction. Malcolm holds responsibility for all the deaths in the play because of his lack of presence in Scotland, both physically
and as a leader. In light of this, society must understand that inaction has horrible consequences and individuals should remain within their designated positions in society.
Malcolm’s inability to assume the role as the next king and impose power, made the threat on Duncan greater, eventually leading the the king’s death. The king, murdered in his sleep and discovered the morning after, leading to the accusation of treason,“Murder and treason! / Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm, awake” (2.3.85-87). Duncan dies because someone wants power over Scotland, but this only could occur if the next in line, Malcolm, not seen as fit to lead, would not obstruct Macbeth’s plan. Malcolm, not taking the power as The Prince of Cumberland, made his father, the king susceptible to other powers. After Duncan’s death, Malcolm inability to act and take power over Scotland arrises again when he states that he will “ not consort with them… I’ll to England”(2.3.160-62) instead of staying in Scotland. Malcolm said he would not associate with the people there, thus no longer having hold on power in Scotland and leaving. He both left Scotland physically as well as removes himself from holding any power in his homeland. So, if Malcolm acting as noble and powerful as he should then he killing of Duncan would not have occurred.
After leaving Scotland, Malcolm continues to restrain himself from action, leading to the death of Banquo. With Malcolm fleeing and drawing away attention from Macbeth, as well as not trying to figure out who killed his father, he forces Banquo into a role of God and thus leading him to his death. Malcolm, no longer maintaining his power in Scotland, forces someone else to act. Banquo now “in the great hand of God [he] stand[s]” (2.3.151) attempts to clear Malcolm of false accusations and forces Banquo to confront evil. Banquo embodies God and represent good, through force of Malcolm’s inaction. The lack of mention of Banquo’s death to Malcolm through Macduff further show that no actions by Malcolm causes another death.
After Macduff left to go inform Malcolm about the happenings in Scotland, someone murders his family because he left his family defenseless. Malcolm, no longer present in Scotland, again forces someone else to take action. When the murderers come, they attack the defenseless family, Macduff’s son yells “he has killed me, mother. Run away, I pray you” (4.3.96). The murder of Macduff’s family ends in massacre and even the mother, who ran had no cach as no one could protect her. Malcolm’s departure from Scotland causes Macduff to take action and go after Malcolm, thus leaving a defenseless family to their death.
Lady Macbeth commits suicide because of the guilt that overtook her because she never held responsibility for her actions. The people of Scotland blame Malcolm for the murder of Duncan because he flees right after the murder, so the actual criminals were never convicted. Malcolm inability to act upon the accusations associated with the crimes against his father leads Lady Macbeth to her death. Lady Macbeth’s guilt appears when she sleeps, she states unconsciously “What we need fear / who knows it” (5.1.39-40). She asks would should we fear, but says so in a way that conveys that she worries about someone knowing about the murder she committed. This guilt builds because, without accusation or facing punishment, Lady Macbeth has to deal with the guilt by herself. So. Malcolm taking residence in England, and taking the blame of Duncan’s murder with him, allows LAdy Macbeth to get so paranoid about the guilt of killing that she commits suicide.
Malcolm never took power, although named Duncan’s predecessor, so Macbeth did not consider Malcolm a threat and this overconfidence lead to his death.
During Macbeth’s final battle, that lead to his death, he states that he “will not yield to kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet” (5.8.33). Malcolm’s lack of presence made it so that Macbeth never saw Malcolm as a threat because of his inability to take power and hold his position in society. Macbeth states that he will not bow down to the absent Malcolm no matter what, showing that if an individual's does not stay in their designated place in society that there are consequences. So, Macbeth died because the lack of presence of Malcolm allows Macbeth to not fear Malcolm, and place himself in a place against the nature order of society.
In the text, Macbeth, Malcolm does not take action and leaves his designated position in society and as a consequence of this, causes the deaths of Duncan, Banquo, Macduff’s family, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth. Malcolm, who does not assume power in Scotland, seems as no threat causing both Duncan’s and Macbeth’s death. His inaction, which forces others to act, leads to Banquo’s and Macduff’s families death. Finally, he take of presence causes Lady Macbeth’s death. So, Malcolm caused all the major deaths in Macbeth because he did not act or take power in
Scotland.