Plot Point

Question

Rank of Events
Rank the events from the list above from most significant to least significant
Reasoning
Explain the reasoning behind your ranking in a paragraph of 5-7 complete sentences.
• Macbeth goes through with the murder of Duncan, even though he is unsure. Act 2, Scene 1

• After the murder, Macbeth forgets to leave the daggers and, instead, carries them back to his room covered with blood. Lady Macbeth hatches a plan to frame the crime on someone else: Duncan's two guards. Act 2, Scene 1

Answer 1

Plot Point Ranking

1. Macbeth goes through with the murder of Duncan, even though he is unsure. Act 2, Scene 1
2. After the murder, Macbeth forgets to leave the daggers and, instead, carries them back to his room covered with blood. Lady Macbeth hatches a plan to frame the crime on someone else: Duncan's two guards. Act 2, Scene 1

Reasoning

The act of Macbeth going through with the murder of King Duncan is the most significant event because it marks the point of no return for his character. This act not only fulfills the witches' prophecy but also signifies his complete moral collapse, resulting in a chain of tragic events that follows. The subsequent moment, where he forgets to leave the daggers behind, is also crucial, but it is a direct consequence of the initial murder. While Lady Macbeth's plan to frame Duncan's guards is indeed important, it reflects her desperation to control the situation after the murder has already been committed. Therefore, the murder itself is the catalyst for the ensuing chaos; it initiates Macbeth's descent into tyranny and paranoia, ultimately leading to his downfall. The failure to leave the daggers serves as an intensification of the consequences of his actions, making it a significant but secondary event in the overall narrative.