feels that in time to come he may have to 'stir' and the first course of action that would have entered his head would probably have been murder of Duncan, if needs be.
             After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth certainly seems to change, in his attitude to murder at least. Before murdering Duncan he is hesitant and unsure, even on the day of the murder he is still unsure: '...I am his kinsman and subject...not bear the knife myself' but in the killing of his best friend he is more sure '...come fate into the list, And champion me to th'utterance!...' and in the final killing of Macduff's family he is almost sure 'The castle of Macduff I will surprise;...'. This illustrates well the losing battle that his moral conscience wages with the influence of the witches, Lady Macbeth and his ambition.
             During the 16th Century the hierarchical idea of the king being divine would have been more reinforced and so the murder of Duncan would have seemed a greater event: almost sacrilege. Whilst now it would still seem a great even, but perhaps not one that would affect the natural world.
             In the killing of Banquo, Macbeth is under the influence of both his ambition and the influence of the witches. Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth 'Thou hast it now King Cawdor, Glamis, all... and I fear, Thou play'dst most foully for't.' But as far as we know Macbeth is unaware of this and so it is the witches' prophecy that drives him to kill Banquo is an attempt at keeping his kingship. It is still very hard though to excuse him from blame because after all they were very close friends, but over friendship Macbeth chooses his kingship.
             In going back to the witches Macbeth must take most of the blame for he was not truly forced although perhaps now, he felt dependant on the 'advice' of the witches. In going back to the witches Macbeth seems to decide his fate: thei...